MINNEAPOLIMEDIA NEWS | Judge Orders Broader Review of Grand Jury Records in Saint Paul Church Protest Case

SAINT PAUL, MN (August 19, 2026) A federal magistrate judge has ordered prosecutors to provide a broader collection of grand jury materials for judicial review in the criminal cases arising from an anti-ICE protest that interrupted a January worship service at Cities Church in Saint Paul.

The ruling affects the federal prosecution of 38 people charged in connection with the January 18 demonstration. The defendants include activists and journalists who entered the church while congregants were participating in a Sunday service.

The demonstrators targeted the church because one of its pastors was identified as an official associated with federal immigration enforcement operations in Minnesota.

Federal prosecutors allege that members of the group conspired to interfere with the congregation’s right to practice religion and violated a provision of federal law prohibiting intimidation or interference with people exercising religious freedom at a place of worship.

The allegations remain unproven. The defendants are presumed innocent unless convicted in court.

Defense attorneys have challenged the government’s handling of evidence and its description of the defendants’ conduct. Lawyers representing independent journalist Georgia Fort argued that investigators inaccurately described her as participating in chants when she maintains that she attended the protest solely to document it.

The Justice Department subsequently acknowledged that the allegation that Fort chanted with demonstrators was incorrect but argued that the disputed claim did not appear in her indictment.

Attorneys asked the court to determine whether inaccurate information was presented to the grand jury that approved the charges.

Magistrate Judge Douglas Micko previously ordered prosecutors to submit portions of the grand jury record for private judicial examination. The latest ruling expands the materials the government must provide for that review.

The order does not establish that prosecutors misled the grand jury, dismiss any charges or determine whether the defendants are guilty. Its purpose is to allow the judge to examine the record before deciding whether additional disclosure or other relief is warranted.

Former CNN anchor Don Lemon and Fort have said they were acting as journalists. Both have pleaded not guilty. Press-freedom organizations have argued that prosecuting journalists for documenting the protest raises serious First Amendment concerns.

The Saint Paul City Attorney’s Office previously declined to bring separate state charges, saying the available evidence was insufficient to establish probable cause and obtain a conviction under Minnesota law. The federal cases remain active.

Case information is available from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota. The latest order was reported by MPR News.

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