The Kristi Noem photo that reveals why anti-ICE mob stormed Minnesota church as terrified child worshipper sobbed in father's arms
A Minneapolis pastor whose church was targeted by a left-wing mob works as the acting director of the town's ICE field office, it has emerged.
David Easterwood, a pastor at Cities Church in St. Paul, appeared alongside Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in October, where he spoke of being 'proud' of leading the immigration crackdown in the town.
On Sunday, the church was swarmed by anti-ICE protesters during its weekend service, as footage showed hordes of chanting demonstrators filling the church.
Easterwood appeared to be the target of the mob, as protester Nekima Levy Armstrong singled him out when former CNN anchor Don Lemon joined the protest in the church.
'This will not stand, they cannot pretend to be a house of God, while harboring someone who is commanding ICE agents to terrorize our communities,' Armstrong told Lemon.
Last week, Easterwood responded to a lawsuit by defending ICE agents in against allegations brought by an anti-ICE protester who claimed she was aggressively arrested and held in a cell for five hours, reports MinnPost.
Easterwood said officers 'only use force that is necessary and reasonable based on the totality of the circumstances', and are often subjected to 'increased threats, violence, aggression, attacks, vehicle block-ins, and obstruction of immigration enforcement operations.'
The ICE field office director's role as pastor at the Cities Church reportedly caught the attention of protest groups Racial Justice Network, Black Lives Matter Minnesota, and Black Lives Matter Twin Cities, who organized the Sunday mob.
David Easterwood, a pastor at Cities Church in St. Paul (center left) and ICE field office director, seen alongside Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem at a press conference in October. On Sunday, his church was targeted by anti-ICE protests
Easterwood, a pastor at Cities Church in St. Paul, was branded a 'wolf in sheep’s clothing, masquerading as a pastor' by anti-ICE protesters who targeted his church
Easterwood was not present when the church was overwhelmed by anti-ICE protesters, but the pastor who was leading the service, Jonathan Parnell, shared his disgust with the decision to protest his Sunday service.
'This is shameful, absolutely shameful,' the pastor said.
'No one is willing to talk. I have to take care of my church and my family,' he added, before asking Lemon to leave.
Throughout the protest inside the church, footage showed demonstrators chanting 'ICE out!', 'Hands up, don't shoot!' and 'Justice for Renee Good' - in reference to the Minneapolis protester shot dead by an ICE agent on January 7.
Easterwood is named in a pending class action lawsuit filed by the ACLU of Minnesota for aggressive tactics used by ICE agents, reports the Minnesota Star Tribune.
Armstrong told the outlet that she and other anti-ICE activists decided to mobilize against Easterwood's church after discovering his role as pastor.
'This man is a wolf in sheep’s clothing, masquerading as a pastor,' she told the Tribune.
'For me, it registered with his name being in that lawsuit, researching him, seeing him at a press conference with Kristi Noem... and then seeing him listed as a pastor of the church, finding a sermon online,' she said.
'As soon as I realized the dual roles that he played, I reached out to other Black women organizers and asked them if they would help me pull an action together.'
Protesters interrupted Sunday service at Cities Church in St Paul, angrily demanding 'ICE out' and accusing a senior leader of the church of working with the agency
Former CNN anchor Don Lemon joined the protest at Easterwood's church on Sunday, where pastor Jonathan Parnell (center) shared his disgust with the mob and said they were 'shameful'
Protesters and worshippers stand outside Cities Church in St Paul following the protest
Last week, Easterwood captured headlines with his response to a lawsuit brought by local Minneapolis protester Susan Tincher.
Tincher alleged that she was detained for asking an ICE agent to identify herself, which she says led several agents to pull her to the ground and handcuff her face-down in the snow.
In her lawsuit, Tincher said she was then shackled in a cell for over five hours, and alleged that officers cut off her bra and her wedding ring of 32 years while she was detained.
Easterwood responded by blaming Tincher, saying she tried to enter a law enforcement perimeter, refused commands to leave and tried to push an ICE officer, and he defended the use of force on her as 'necessary.'
In October, Easterwood appeared alongside Noem at a press conference, where he identified himself as the head of ICE's removal operations for Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota.
'The men and women of the ERO St. Paul embody the highest standards of professionalism, integrity and dedication,' Easterwood said at the press conference.
'Every day they face complex challenges with determination and resolve, ensuring the safety of our communities and the enforcement of our nation’s immigration laws.'
Last week, Easterwood captured headlines with his response to a lawsuit brought by local Minneapolis protester Susan Tincher (pictured), who says she was aggressively detained during a protest. Easterwood said the use of force on her was 'necessary'
Easterwood seen embracing Noem at a press conference in October
In response to the protest at Easterwood's church, the Department of Justice announced it was opening an investigation into the demonstration over possible criminal violations.
Harmeet Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General for the U.S. Department of Justice, said on X that she contacted Attorney General Pam Bondi and the FBI to investigate the action, branding it 'un-American and outrageous.'
'The [Civil Rights’ division] is investigating the potential violations of the federal FACE Act by these people desecrating a house of worship and interfering with Christian worshippers,' Dhillon wrote.
The Department of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement also took to X to condemn the protests, writing: 'Agitators aren’t just targeting our officers. Now they’re targeting churches, too.'
The ICE account added that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey are responsible for 'whipping these mobs into a frenzy and then allowing them to run rampant.'
The Daily Mail has contacted Easterwood's church for comment.
