Religious groups want President Donald Trump’s Department of Homeland Security officials to be held in contempt, according to a new report.
A federal judge has been asked to consider this punitive move after a recording device found in a Minnesota church raised concerns Immigration Control and Enforcement agents had violated a court order barring enforcement in places of worship, according to court records Politico revealed Thursday.
“DHS’s multiple undercover operations at University Baptist Church—including an ICE agent’s intrusion into the church itself—constitute clear and egregious violations of the Court’s preliminary injunction order,” wrote attorneys for the New England Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
“Given the blatant and repeated nature of Defendants’ violations, the harm to fundamental rights of religion and expressive association, and the threat of future similar violations, Plaintiffs also respectfully request the Court’s expedited consideration of this motion.”
The Department of Homeland Security declined to comment on ongoing investigations. The local U.S. Attorney’s office did not respond to Politico’s request for comment.
An Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent appears to have dropped the concealed audio recorder during a “boxing/sparring” session at the Minneapolis church in May, according to a court filing in the case.
The report includes a defense of DHS’s decision to send an operative into the church.
“Individuals and organized networks have exploited events to engage in acts of violence, destruction of property, intimidation of federal officers and employees, and attempts to impede federal operations,” a DHS internal document states.
“This investigation is focused on identifying and disrupting sophisticated, organized campaigns supporting and engaging in this behavior.”
Politico noted the alleged investigation would contradict the Trump administration’s messaging that it will punish attacks on religious freedom with criminal charges.
“Details of the operation spilled out in recent days in connection with a criminal case in which the Justice Department has accused more than a dozen people of conspiracy to impede or injure federal officers,” the report stated.
“Individual activists also face assault, stalking and threat-related charges in the case.”
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