A US pastor has claimed that an anti-ICE protest in a Minnesota church was an act of divine judgement, similar to Jesus flipping tables in the temple.

It comes as a second person has been arrested in connection with the incident.

Attorney General Pam Bondi alleged Nekima Levy Armstrong "played a key role in organizing the coordinated attack on Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota." 

On Sunday, protestors entered Cities Church Minneapolis mid-service, chanting “ice OUT." 

They alleged that one of its leaders, David Easterwood, has been working for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Footage of the incident, shared by former CNN reporter Don Lemon, has been widely shared. It has drawn strong reactions from Christians across the political spectrum, with some labelling it an “attack." 

Christian pastor Rodney Kennedy wrote in Baptist News Global: “Cities Church in Minneapolis is not being persecuted for faithfulness to the gospel, but for allegiance to the American empire.

“There is no cause for rejoicing at the disruption of worship on a Sunday,” he said, adding that he found the concept of an in-church protest “repulsive.”  

“But,” he added, “I think God is using unexpected prophets to judge Cities Church.”

Kennedy continued by saying that “MAGA evangelicals” have abandoned Jesus’ teachings, and instead serve “empire." 

"MAGA churches are not being persecuted for righteousness but for not loving their neighbors. They are being persecuted by unexpected judgment, like Jesus cleansing the temple," he wrote.

“They have given birth to a Christian nationalism that is neither Christian nor patriotic." 

Others disagreed. Kevin Ezell, president of the North American Mission Board (NAMB) of the Southern Baptist Convention, said it was "absurd" to disrupt a Sunday service.

He described the incident as “an act of lawlessness,” insisting that “[the NAMB] will provide protection for our churches."