Attorney General Pam Bondi gave an exclusive interview to Fox News on Tuesday in Minneapolis. (Fox News)
"This state is a mess right now," she said. "We’ve seen the chaos, and it’s constant. And our men and women in law enforcement deserve to be safe."
Bondi said she met with federal agents from the FBI, DEA and ATF, as well as U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen, emphasizing coordination among federal agencies as tensions continue.
"We have a great U.S. attorney, and we are all going to fight together," she said. "That’s why it was so important to be here."
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Cities Church in St. Paul, Minn., where activists shut down a service claiming the pastor was also working as an ICE agent. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)
"What happened in that church was horrific," Bondi said. "That should not happen to any Christian, to any religion, to a synagogue, to a mosque, to any place of worship in our country."
Bondi said she has spoken directly with Pastor Jonathan Parnell and plans to meet with him.
"That should not happen," she said. "And it was horrific."
In a statement after the Jan. 18 incident, Parnell said a group of agitators disrupted the worship service, accosted members of the congregation and frightened children, describing the conduct as "shameful" and "unlawful."
"Invading a church service to disrupt the worship of Jesus — or any other act of worship — is protected by neither the Christian Scriptures nor the laws of this nation," Parnell wrote, adding that church buildings are meant to be places of peace and refuge.
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Parnell said the church is evaluating next steps with legal counsel and called on local, state and national leaders to protect the fundamental right to worship freely.
Asked whether Minnesotans should expect continued federal involvement following her visit, Bondi answered unequivocally.
"President Trump is committed to making Minnesota safe," she said. "So, the answer is yes."
Jasmine Baehr is a Breaking News Writer for Fox News Digital, where she covers politics, the military, faith and culture.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/bondi-vows-accountability-after-church-attack-says-minnesota-a-mess-right-now