‍TRUE NORTH LEGAL & CLIENT LEAD PASTOR JONATHAN PARNELL STATEMENT
February 13, 2026 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT TRUE NORTH LEGAL: https://truenorthlegal.org/contact/media-inquiry

SAINT PAUL, Minn. – True North Legal attorneys representing Cities Church in St. Paul, and Cities Church Lead Pastor, Jonathan Parnell, issued the following statements after the arraignments of five defendants, including Don Lemon, who invaded Cities Church in St. Paul on January 18.

Statement from Renee Carlson, General Counsel for True North Legal:

“By pleading not guilty, Don Lemon and other defendants are doubling down on their claim that the press can do whatever they want under the auspices of journalism, while also defending the invasion of a church. This was a coordinated planned operation. The First Amendment does not protect premeditated schemes to violate the sanctity of a sanctuary, disrupt worship services, or intimidate children. There is no ‘press pass’ to trespass on church property or conspire to invade religious worship. It is not ‘journalism’ to accost a pastor who was about to read Scripture to his congregation. While the Constitution restrains government from infringing fundamental rights, it also obligates government to protect those rights when private actors threaten them. True North Legal is grateful that the Department of Justice stepped in when Minnesota’s leaders stepped aside instead of protecting the church.”

Statement from Doug Wardlow, Director of Litigation for True North Legal:

“The First Amendment protects the fundamental freedom to engage in religious worship. It is up to the government to make sure that the First Amendment is not just an empty promise. That is why we have laws like the FACE Act that make it a crime to intimidate and interfere with religious worship in a church. The Cities Church invaders disrupted a peaceful worship service by announcing that the time for judgement had come. They terrorized families and children with threatening chants, putting some congregants in fear of their lives. Thankfully, the U.S. Department of Justice acted decisively and brought the attackers to face justice. True North Legal is honored to represent Cities Church to help ensure that all people can attend church and worship God free from fear of violence or intimidation.”

Statement from Jonathan Parnell, Lead Pastor of Cities Church

“Our church, like countless others around the world, gathers each Sunday to worship Jesus. Until January 18, 2026, we had done so in peace, grateful for the freedoms we enjoy in this nation. But that morning, just as I was about to read from John 13 on Jesus’s command to love one another, the peace was shattered. A group of agitators disrupted our service, accosted our members, and terrified our children. It was wrong. It was shameful. And it should never happen again. God willing, the agitators will answer for their actions in a court of earthly justice. Yet my message remains the same: should any of them turn from their sins and trust in Christ, they need not fear the court of heaven. This is our prayer.”

True North Legal is a public interest legal organization dedicated to defending life, family, and religious freedom in Minnesota. It is an initiative of Minnesota Family Institute.