Condemning Violent Disruption of Cities Church Worship Service

On January 18, 2026, a worship service at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota was violently disrupted. HR1026 responds directly to that event: it condemns the protest and riot that interrupted that service, affirms that free exercise of religion is a fundamental constitutional right protected from intimidation, obstruction, and violence, and declares that targeting houses of worship for disruption or harassment is an attack on religious liberty and the rule of law. The American Council stands fully behind this resolution and urges every Member of the House to vote yes.

The principle at the heart of this resolution is not partisan and it is not new. The freedom to gather, to worship, and to practice one's faith without fear of mob interference is among the most foundational liberties the Constitution protects. When a congregation cannot complete a worship service because of physical disruption, something essential to ordered liberty has been violated. HR1026 says so plainly, and the House should say so too.

The resolution also recognizes that existing federal law may already cover what happened in St. Paul. The FACE Act makes it unlawful to use force, threat of force, or physical obstruction to interfere with religious worship, and it provides both criminal penalties and civil remedies. HR1026 does not change that statute, but it does commend the Department of Justice for its prompt investigation and urge full enforcement of the FACE Act and other relevant federal statutes. That call for accountability is appropriate and necessary.

The resolution additionally condemns by name a public figure, Don Lemon, for joining and participating in the disruption of the worship service, finding that his presence lent credibility and encouragement to conduct that interfered with the constitutional rights of worshipers. When those with platforms use them to validate interference with religious exercise, the House has every reason to say clearly that such conduct is unacceptable.

HR1026 is a simple House resolution expressing the sense of the House. It does not amend any statute or create new legal obligations. What it does is put the moral and institutional weight of the House of Representatives behind a principle the American Council holds without reservation: Americans must be free to worship safely, and those who disrupt that freedom through intimidation, obstruction, or violence must face the full force of existing law. We ask the House to pass this resolution without delay.