Democrats silent on FACE Act charges for Minnesota church disruption

Headlining Democrats in a letter sent just months ago that called on Attorney General Pam Bondi to “fully enforce” the FACE Act against pro-life protesters was silent when asked by Fox News Digital whether the same focus should be placed on the prosecution of Minnesota church vandals.

With Bondi now filing charges under the FACE Act against the instigators who disrupted a Baptist service on January 18, Democrats who signed the letter could face a narrow decision, publicly support prosecutions under the FACE Act, part ways with the same prosecutor they lobbied in 2025, or remain silent while Republicans demand prosecutions on that side.

In March 2025, Democratic Reps. Sean Kasten and Jan Schakowsky of Illinois and Jerrold Nadler of New York led the 75-member letter demanding that Bondi “fully enforce the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act and ensure that women and health care providers are not threatened, harassed, or abused as they attempt to enter reproductive health care facilities.”

Fox News Digital reached out via email and phone to the offices of Kasten, Schakowsky and Nadler to ask whether they would similarly agree to use the law — originally spearheaded by “liberal lion” Ted Kennedy — also in earnest against left-wing agitators who disrupted a Twin Cities church service in mid-January.

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A pastor at the Baptist church was reportedly connected to local Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations.

The three lawmakers did not respond when asked whether Bondi should likewise pursue federal FACE Act charges against the instigators or whether they had any further comment on the harassment of the secretary by people like former CNN host Don Lemon.

Fox News Digital also reached out to as many of the other 72 Democrats on the list as possible — including Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-N.J., and Steve Cohen, D-Tenn. – But he received a response from only one.

A representative for Rep. Eric Swalwell, Democrat of California, acknowledged the investigation and said they were “looking into” the matter.

Minnesota pastor denounces anti-ice agitators who boycott service: ‘Shameful and illegal’

Restricting the Justice Department from enforcing “the bipartisan law would jeopardize the well-being and security of patients, providers, and others in reproductive health care facilities,” the Democrats wrote in their letter.

“Individuals have the right to freedom of expression and the right to assemble peacefully to protest,” they wrote. “However, individuals do not have the right to use physical force or intimidation because these actions pose a threat to those trying to access a range of health care services – from abortion care to breast cancer screenings, prenatal care, reproductive counseling, and in vitro fertilization.”

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Rep. Sean Casten of Illinois in Washington. (Brian Dozier/Getty Images)

The FACE Act includes provisions for both abortion clinics and the general exercise of First Amendment rights to freedom of religion.

However, Bundy’s office has already filed charges against alleged troublemakers, including Chontell Louisa Allen — a school board member in St. Paul, Minnesota — and Nekima Levy Armstrong, who authorities said played a “key role” in organizing the “coordinated attack on the Cities Church in St. Paul.”

“Listen loud and clear, we do not tolerate attacks on places of worship,” Bondi said in a tweet after the incident.

Fox News’ Jake Gibson and Charlie Horan contributed to this report.