ugputu

WHAT HAPPENED: A group of far-left extremist activists, accompanied by ex-CNN host Don Lemon, disrupted a church service in St. Paul, Minnesota, as part of a protest called “Operation Pullup.”

WHO WAS INVOLVED: Activists led by Nekima Levy-Armstrong, Don Lemon, Cities Church congregants, and Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon.

WHEN & WHERE: Sunday, January 18, at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota.

KEY QUOTE: “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” – Harmeet Dhillon

IMPACT: The Department of Justice has launched an investigation into potential violations of the FACE Act, with Don Lemon possibly being a target.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has opened an investigation into a protest that disrupted a Sunday worship service at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, after leftist extremist activists entered the sanctuary and halted the service for roughly 30 minutes. The demonstration was led by activist Nekima Levy-Armstrong and organized by the Racial Justice Network and Black Lives Matter Minnesota under the name “Operation Pullup.” Disgraced former CNN host Don Lemon accompanied the group, embedded with the protesters, and conducted interviews during the disruption. Congregants were forced to flee as the unrest unfolded inside the church.

Lemon defended the extremists by comparing their tactics to those used during the civil rights movement and argued that the First Amendment protects such actions. “There is nothing in the Constitution that tells you what time you can protest. You can protest at any time,” he said.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, who heads the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, said the incident is being reviewed for potential violations of the federal Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, which also protects access to religious worship. Dhillon said, “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.”

The protest targeted Cities Church because activists allege that one of its pastors works for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Levy-Armstrong said, “They cannot pretend to be a house of God while harboring someone who is directing ICE agents to wreak havoc upon our community.” The church’s lead pastor, Jonathan Parnell, who is not the pastor accused of working for ICE, confronted Lemon during the protest and condemned the disruption, saying, “It’s shameful to interrupt a public gathering of Christians in worship.”

The incident has drawn national attention. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt condemned the protest and said President Donald J. Trump will not tolerate harassment of Christians in their places of worship.

BREAKING: Anti-ICE mob storms church in St. Paul, MN and shuts service down pic.twitter.com/PgYkWTuO3g

— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) January 18, 2026

The disruption comes amid a broader rise in hostility toward churches across the United States. Recent data has shown a sharp increase in attacks on American churches, including vandalism, arson, and intimidation, raising concerns among religious liberty advocates about the safety of worshippers.

Minnesota has also been the site of heightened unrest tied to immigration enforcement and law enforcement activity. Following a recent ICE-related shooting in Minneapolis, President Trump blamed the “radical left” for subsequent attacks on law enforcement and warned that continued instability could prompt extraordinary federal measures. Earlier this month, Trump said he was considering invoking the Insurrection Act in response to ongoing unrest in the state.

NEW: Don Lemon tries lecturing a pastor on the First Amendment after a mob of far leftists stormed a church in Minneapolis.

Pastor: “This is unacceptable. It’s shameful to interrupt a public gathering of Christians in worship…”

Lemon: “Listen, there’s a constitution, the First… pic.twitter.com/joHdCvaXe6

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) January 18, 2026

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump criticized Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN) in a Truth Social post, accusing her of having known about widespread social services fraud schemes linked to Minnesota’s Somali community and claiming she should face legal consequences or be sent back to Somalia.

WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, Rep. Omar, and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D).

WHEN & WHERE: Trump’s remarks were posted on Truth Social on Sunday night, January 18, 2026.

KEY QUOTE: “She should be in jail, or even a worse punishment, sent back to Somalia, considered one of the absolutely worst countries in the World,” Trump wrote.

IMPACT: The remarks have sparked renewed controversy over Omar’s Somali background and her criticism of the U.S., especially amid the ongoing fraud investigations in Minnesota.

President Donald J. Trump, in a Truth Social post on Sunday night, accused Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN) of being complicit in what he called “19 Billion Dollars in Minnesota Somalia Fraud.” Trump wrote, “Fake ‘Congresswoman’ Illhan Omar, a constant complainer who hates the USA, knows everything there is to know. She should be in jail, or even a worse punishment, sent back to Somalia, considered one of the absolutely worst countries in the World.”

Omar, who has served in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2019, was born in Somalia and became a U.S. citizen in 2000. Notably, her father served in the Somali military under the country’s former dictator, Siad Barre, whose government fell in 1991 after decades of rights abuses, corruption, and the infamous Isaaq genocide. Rep. Omar is also accused of having committed visa fraud by engaging in a sham marriage with her brother.

Trump also blasted Minnesota’s opposition to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) offers in the state, writing, “ICE is removing some of the most violent criminals in the World from our Country, and bring them back home, where they belong. Why is Minnesota fighting this? Do they really want murderers and drug dealers to be ensconced in their community?”

The President further accused Omar and Governor Tim Walz (D-MN) of using protests against ICE to distract from what he alleged was massive fraud in the state. “The crooked Governor and ‘Congresswoman’ Omar, who married her brother, don’t mind because it keeps the focus of attention off the 18 Billion Dollar, Plus, FRAUD, that has taken place in the State! Don’t worry, we’re on it!” he added.

The controversy follows Omar’s recent tirade against the U.S., where she referred to the country negatively as the “U.S. Goddamn States.” This comment drew sharp backlash from Republican lawmakers, including Senator Mike Lee (R-UT), who questioned, “What should be the consequence of saying that?” Billionaire space and technology mogul Elon Musk responded, “Whatever the penalty is for treason.”

.@IlhanMN refers to our great country as the “U.S. G*ddamn States.”

There is no circumstance in which she should refer to our country in this way. It is beyond disrespectful — it is appalling, disgusting, and SICK. SHAME ON HER! pic.twitter.com/NYrTG8NFxm

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) January 18, 2026

Image by Gage Skidmore.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

WHAT HAPPENED: Airlines may see cost savings on fuel if weight loss drugs contribute to lighter passengers, according to a Jefferies Research Services analysis.

WHO WAS INVOLVED: Jefferies Research Services, major U.S. airlines including American, Delta, Southwest, and United, and weight loss drug manufacturers.

WHEN & WHERE: The analysis comes as weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy gain popularity in the United States.

KEY QUOTE: “Airlines have a long history of searching for unique methods to reduce the weight of the aircraft, in turn reducing fuel consumption and limiting an airline’s largest cost bucket,” analysts said in the report.

IMPACT: A 10 percent slimmer society could lead to $580 million in annual fuel savings for the top four U.S. carriers.

Airlines could benefit financially if weight loss medications lead to lighter passengers, as fuel costs are directly tied to the weight of an aircraft. Jefferies Research Services—a global research, macro strategy, and equity insights firm that advises major investors—recently analyzed the potential savings and found that slimmer passengers could reduce fuel consumption and boost airline earnings.

The analysis notes that a 10 percent reduction in average passenger weight could lower total airline passenger weight by two percent, resulting in a 1.5 percent reduction in fuel costs and a four percent increase in earnings per share. For the top four U.S. airlines—American, Delta, Southwest, and United—this could mean $580 million in annual fuel savings.

Using a Boeing 737 Max 8 as an example, Jefferies calculated that a 10 percent slimmer passenger base would decrease the aircraft’s takeoff weight from 181,200 pounds to 177,996 pounds. This weight reduction translates into significant savings, as airlines spend billions annually on jet fuel, and profits are often dependent on the companies meeting very slim margins.

“Airlines have a long history of searching for unique methods to reduce the weight of the aircraft, in turn reducing fuel consumption and limiting an airline’s largest cost bucket,” the report noted. While airlines can control many aspects of weight reduction, passenger weight has always been beyond their control.

The analysis comes as weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy gain popularity and become more widely accessible. “With the drug now available in pill form and obesity rates falling, broader usage could have further implications for waistlines,” the analysis notes regarding the widespread availability of GLP-1 drugs. The National Pulse reported in November of last year that President Donald J. Trump cut a deal to bring down prices for select weight loss medications. “This is a triumph for American patients that will save lives and improve the health of millions and millions of Americans,” he said during an Oval Office announcement.

Image by Quintin Soloviev.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.