Morning Wire DOJ Probes Church Protesters & ‘Havana Syndrome’ Revelations | 1.20.26
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Jan 20, 2026 
Megan Basham, a culture reporter, shares first-hand insights from the Minnesota church protest where anti-ICE activists disrupted a service, highlighting connections to BLM and paid agitators. Cabot Phillips delves into the Pentagon's intriguing new acquisition of a pulsed radio-frequency device linked to Havana Syndrome, discussing symptoms and global patterns. Cameron Arcand outlines Virginia's new Democratic administration's legislative priorities, including immigration reforms and redistricting efforts. This mix of activism and policy makes for a compelling listen!
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Church Storming Forced Service Cancellation
- Protesters, including Don Lemon, stormed a Southern Baptist service at Cities Church in St. Paul demanding condemnation of ICE. The disruption forced lead pastor Jonathan Parnell to cancel the service when children began crying and congregants were terrified.
Organized Agitators Targeting Churches
- The protesters appear organized and tied to groups like Black Lives Matter and the Racial Justice Network. Some activists involved have histories as paid agitators who target churches, suggesting coordination beyond spontaneous protest.
Hold Protesters Accountable Under Federal Law
- Law enforcement balanced free-speech rights with congregational worship and made no arrests as demonstrators left the building. The Department of Justice says trespassing in a house of worship is illegal and will investigate under federal civil-rights laws and the FACE Act.