VINCE | Episode 206: "Now They're Coming For The Churches"

Date: January 19, 2026
Host: Vince Coglianese | Cumulus Podcast Network

Episode Overview

In this high-energy episode, Vince Coglianese dives into alarming events in Minneapolis and St. Paul, where left-wing activists stormed a Baptist church, menacing worshippers over ICE enforcement and immigration policies. Vince examines what happened, analyzes the legal and cultural ramifications, and is joined by field reporter Julio Rosas for on-the-ground insights. The episode also tracks federal and local political reactions and scrutinizes media involvement, specifically the conduct of Don Lemon.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The St. Paul Church Invasion

• Background:
  • A group of left-wing activists, identified as anti-ICE protesters, entered a Baptist church in St. Paul during service, reportedly targeting Pastor David Easterwood, who is also the acting field director for ICE in Minnesota.
  • While Pastor Easterwood wasn't present, the protestors disrupted the service, accosting churchgoers and clergy.
• Notable Quotes:
  • "They're going after Christians. They're going into our churches now and menacing the faithful..." (Vince, 02:30)
• Timestamps:
  • [02:30] — Vince lays out the scenario and expresses concern for religious freedom.
  • [03:25] — Protester Renee Good confronts worshippers inside the church.
  • [03:59] — Protesters' harassment escalates, children are seen crying, families are menaced.

2. Legal Dimensions and the FACE Act

• Vince's Commentary:
  • Stresses federal law violations (FACE Act — Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act), which also protects religious worship against interference.
  • Criticizes authorities for failing to keep repeat agitators like William Kelly away from public and faith-based spaces.
  • Calls for stronger responses and even recommends armed security in churches as a practical necessity.
• Notable Quotes:
  • "It's not only a right to protect that church—I think it's an obligation." (Vince, 07:00)
• Timestamps:
  • [04:24–07:00] — Discussion on First Amendment rights, FACE Act, and rising encroachments against religious freedom.

3. Media Involvement: Don Lemon at the Scene

• Incident Recap:
  • Former CNN host Don Lemon is reported to have “joined in on the raid” and attempted to frame the chaos as First Amendment-protected protest.
  • Exchanges between Lemon and churchgoers highlight the clash between worship and demonstration.
• Notable Quotes:
  • "I'm a Christian." (Don Lemon, 12:27)
  • "What kind of Christian goes in, disrupts the service...?" (Vince, 12:30)
• Timestamps:
  • [11:34–12:30] — Live confrontation between Lemon, protesters, and church members.

4. Federal and Administrative Responses

• Key Players:
  • Pam Bondi (Attorney General) and Harmeet Dhillon (Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights)
  • Department of Justice and White House have announced actions and full investigations into the St. Paul incident.
• Notable Quotes:
  • "Attacks against law enforcement and the intimidation of Christians are being met with the full force of federal law..." (Pam Bondi, paraphrased from Vince, 16:35)
• Timestamps:
  • [15:20–18:00] — Vince details government reaction and calls for immediate, visible law enforcement action.

5. Political/Local Context: Minneapolis Leadership & Sanctuary Policy

• Accusations and Investigation:
  • DOJ investigates Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey for allegedly obstructing ICE operations.
  • Local leaders publicly encourage resistance to ICE operations, which Vince terms as incitement to chaos.
• Notable Quotes:
  • "We have residents ... fighting ICE agents on the street to stand by their neighbors." (Mayor Jacob Frey, 51:10, as cited by Vince)
• Timestamps:
  • [51:10] — Clip replayed of Mayor Frey encouraging action against ICE.

6. On-the-Ground Reporting: Interview with Julio Rosas

Segment Starts: [33:24]

• Key Insights:
  • Heightened tension: Protestors undeterred by freezing weather, signaling more unrest likely as weather warms.
  • Protest tactics: PR stunts aiming for negative imagery against ICE; direct obstruction of federal operations; use of “whistles”, live streaming, and blockades.
  • Activist decentralization: Leaders are often known BLM or NAACP figures; chaotic structure mirrors antifa tactics, making law enforcement difficult.
  • Risks for journalists: High; recent assaults and thefts, as with journalist Nick Sorter.
  • Growing ferocity: "Riot season" predicted—escalation anticipated in spring/summer.
• Notable Quotes:
  • "If people are willing to be out there when it’s 10 degrees…that doesn’t bode too well once it gets warmer..." (Julio Rosas, 34:20)
  • "They’re actively working to protect...convicted pedophiles, drug dealers, gun runners..." (Julio Rosas, 37:00)
• Timestamps:
  • [33:24–42:54] — Julio Rosas details ground-level chaos, protester goals, and radicalization.

7. Journalists Under Fire

• Nick Sorter Incident: [48:57]
  • Sorter's camera is stolen by a Somali individual, who then drives off; Sorter is dragged by the vehicle, highlighting dangers journalists face from both activists and bystanders.
  • Quick fundraising and support in response.
• Notable Quotes:
  • "Some twerp just screaming at him, ‘Are you a coward? You have to leave.’...What do you mean I gotta leave? It’s America. I’m standing on an American street in an American city..." (Vince, 49:30)
• Timestamps:
  • [48:57–51:10] — Vince narrates the video and fallout for independent journalists.

8. Political Rhetoric & Broader Implications

• Trump Administration Moves:
  • DOJ actions and zero-tolerance rhetoric.
  • Discussion of the President's heightened push for deportations and security—including deploying military response if needed.
• Community Impact:
  • Concerns about safety for religious congregations, collapse in police morale, emboldened protest groups.
• Historical Contextualization:
  • Reference to Martin Luther King Jr., his assassination, and attacks on churches to reinforce the current stakes.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• "They're going after Christians. They're going into our churches now and menacing the faithful as they do nothing but sit there and pray and worship."
  (Vince, 02:30)

• "It is not only a right to protect that church. I think it's an obligation."
  (Vince, 07:00)

• "If people are willing to be out there when it’s 10 degrees, 30 degrees outside...that doesn’t bode too well for the rest of the country once it gets warmer."
  (Julio Rosas, 34:20)

• "They’re actively working to protect these people who...have done horrible things either back in their home country or while they've been here..."
  (Julio Rosas, 37:00)

• "I'm a Christian."
  (Don Lemon, 12:27)

• "What kind of Christian goes in, disrupts the service of people who are sitting there humbly in prayer on a Sunday?"
  (Vince, 12:30)

• "The federal government has just charged a man who threatened to kill J.D. Vance...First Amendment rights don't extend to threats to kill or injure others, especially our nation's elected officials."
  (Vince, 55:30 paraphrased from US Attorney announcement)

Major Segments by Timestamp

• 00:00–03:24 — Episode opening, initial sponsorship, and news setup
• 03:25–10:25 — Detailing the church invasion, protester behavior, and Vince’s reaction
• 11:34–12:30 — Live confrontation at church, Don Lemon exchange
• 15:20–18:00 — DOJ and federal reactions, Vince’s call for aggressive law enforcement
• 33:24–47:20 — Extended interview with Julio Rosas on ground realities, protest dynamics
• 48:57–51:10 — Journalist Nick Sorter’s assault, media risks discussed
• 51:10– — Rhetorical clips of Mayor Frey and Governor Walz, Vince’s critique
• 55:00–57:00 — Broader threats/issues (JD Vance incident, US military actions, Trump’s Greenland gambit)

Episode Tone & Takeaways

• Urgent, combative, and uncompromising, Vince frames events as proof of worsening radicalism on the left, the necessity of law-and-order crackdown, and the danger to peaceful Americans—particularly Christians.
• Guests and cited voices reinforce the sense of chaos on the ground, the disconnect between government actions and public safety, and the partisan divide over immigration enforcement and public order.

For anyone who missed it, this episode provides a deep dive into current flashpoints at the intersection of faith, protest, law enforcement, and media, conveying the intense polarization and urgency that mark this phase of the American political landscape.