The husband of a woman criticized by Attorney General Pam Bondi for her alleged involvement in the recent storming of a Minnesota church by an anti-U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) group is voicing his frustrations. Marques Armstrong, husband of Nekima Levy Armstrong, condemned what he described as a “Beavis and Butt-Head” prosecution.
Speaking out on Thursday, Marques Armstrong referenced the iconic MTV show as he addressed the arrest of his wife, along with Chauntyll Louisa Allen and William Kelly. “Continue to pray for us,” Armstrong urged, emphasizing that facing threats is not new to them due to their activism.
Armstrong refrained from delving deeply into specifics regarding the legal proceedings, instead choosing to focus on the broader implications of their activism. He highlighted their commitment to making a statement and taking a stand not just for their local community, but for the entire nation.
“We are making a stand,” Armstrong stated, advocating for continued peaceful protests. He warned against falling into provocations that could lead to violence, as this could potentially justify harsher responses from authorities. “We cannot afford to take the bait,” he repeated emphatically, stressing the importance of maintaining peaceful methods to avoid escalating the situation.
Marques Armstrong, the husband of Nekima Levy Armstrong, speaks out following her arrest on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. (Fox News)
“We are making a statement, we are making a stand not just for the individuals here, not just our state, but for this entire nation. I want to encourage us to continue to stand up and peacefully protest. We cannot afford to take the bait,” Armstrong added. “I repeat, we cannot afford to take the bait and be provoked into violence. That will give the people over in the administration the green light to unleash more hell upon our state.”
FBI Director Kash Patel said Armstrong’s arrest was in connection with an alleged violation of the FACE Act, which prohibits interfering with the exercise of religion at a place of worship. Kelly allegedly stormed the Cities Church service in St. Paul and berated congregants, according to video posted online, while Allen is a member of the St. Paul School Board who also helped organize the protest.
“Minutes ago at my direction, HSI and FBI agents executed an arrest in Minnesota,” Bondi wrote on X on Thursday, adding, “We have arrested Nekima Levy Armstrong, who allegedly played a key role in organizing the coordinated attack on Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota.”
The arrests of Chauntyll Allen, left, and Nekima Levy Armstrong, right were announced on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. (Angelina Katsanis/Star Tribune via Getty Images | Chris Juhn/Anadolu via Getty Images)
“Listen loud and clear: WE DO NOT TOLERATE ATTACKS ON PLACES OF WORSHIP,” Bondi also said.
Marques Armstrong said on Thursday that, “My wife wasn’t taken.”
“She gave herself up, tall, no crime. Y’all know who she is. She is fierce, she is strong, and she is powerful. That is how she stood. We have the videos to prove that, to dispel the lies and the twisting of the truth that this administration constantly does on a consistent basis. And for those of you who are following this group of liars, criminals, thieves, shame on you,” he said.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Justice Department for comment.
Federal authorities arrested Chauntyll Allen, leader of Black Lives Matter Twin Cities, left, agitator William Kelly, center, and Nekima Levy Armstrong, Racial Justice Network leader, right, after a mob invaded a St. Paul, Minnesota, church, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. (Department of Homeland Security)
“The actions of Chauntyll Allen, my wife, Nekima Levy Armstrong, and all of the protesters were not criminal, violent, or destructive,” Armstrong also said. “They did not harm any person or animal, damage property, or incite chaos. Their conduct remained nonviolent, verbal, restrained, which matters both morally and legally. What motivated their action was not lawlessness but consciousness.”
