Husband of Minnesota Church Invasion Suspect Criticizes DOJ Prosecution as ‘Beavis and Butt-Head’
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — Marques Armstrong, husband of Nekima Levy Armstrong, who was arrested last week in connection with an anti-U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) demonstration that escalated into a church invasion, has publicly condemned the Department of Justice’s prosecution of his wife as a “Beavis and Butt-Head” spectacle. The arrest took place on January 22, 2026, after authorities alleged that Armstrong played a key role in organizing the storming of a Minnesota church service by a group protesting ICE enforcement.
Attorney General Pam Bondi characterized the incident as a serious breach of public order, highlighting the involvement of anti-ICE agitators who disrupted a religious gathering. Alongside Nekima Levy Armstrong, two other individuals, Chauntyll Louisa Allen and William Kelly, were also taken into custody. The Department of Justice has framed the prosecution as part of a broader effort to uphold the rule of law amid rising tensions surrounding immigration enforcement.
Marques Armstrong, however, dismissed the government’s case as lacking substance and derided the DOJ’s approach as reminiscent of the irreverent and chaotic antics portrayed in the cult MTV sitcom Beavis and Butt-Head. Speaking out on Thursday, he argued that the prosecution was politically motivated and an attempt to silence activists who challenge federal immigration policies.
The incident occurred amid heightened scrutiny of ICE operations nationwide, with Minneapolis becoming a flashpoint for protests against immigration enforcement. According to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, the individuals involved in the church invasion were part of a coordinated effort to disrupt federal activities and intimidate officers.
The Department of Homeland Security has reiterated its commitment to protecting federal agents and maintaining public safety, emphasizing that violent or disruptive protests will not be tolerated. In response to the church incident, DHS officials called for increased vigilance and cooperation from local law enforcement.
Legal experts note that the prosecution of protest organizers in cases involving disruptions of religious services is relatively rare and often controversial, particularly when tied to politically charged issues such as immigration. The American Civil Liberties Union has previously raised concerns about the potential chilling effect on free speech and assembly rights when federal authorities pursue aggressive charges against activists.
Nekima Levy Armstrong, a well-known community organizer and vocal critic of ICE, has been at the forefront of anti-immigration enforcement protests in Minnesota. Her husband’s defense underscores the deep divisions surrounding immigration policy enforcement and the tactics used by both activists and law enforcement.
As the case moves forward, it is expected to draw national attention given the intersection of immigration enforcement, civil liberties, and the sanctity of religious spaces. The Justice Department’s handling of the prosecution will likely be scrutinized by advocacy groups and political observers alike.
For now, Marques Armstrong remains steadfast in his criticism of the government’s approach, framing the prosecution as an ill-conceived attempt to criminalize dissent in one of the nation’s most contentious policy arenas.
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