House Speaker Mike Johnson is defending federal immigration officers after recent protests involving Christian clergy members turned violent, rejecting the suggestion that the incidents represent an attack on religious freedom.

During a press conference, Johnson was asked by Religion News Service to respond to video footage showing clergy being struck with pepper rounds and rubber bullets during demonstrations against the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement actions. One clip reportedly shows a minister being hit in the head with pepper rounds, while another captures a United Church of Christ minister being struck directly in the face.

When asked whether he saw these incidents as a religious freedom issue, Johnson was firm. “I can’t comment on any of those instances. I haven’t seen or heard any of those videos,” he said. “Religious freedom does not extend and give you the right to get in the face of an ICE officer and assault them, if indeed that was what happened there.”

The Louisiana congressman and outspoken Christian defended the agents’ conduct, calling their response “measured” given the pressure they face on the front lines. “ICE officers, by the way, are under tremendous strain and pressure,” Johnson said. “You have the media criticizing [your] every move and you have wild protesters in your face cursing at you, waving their finger in your face, and sometimes pushing you and assaulting you. Thank the Lord that there are people who are willing to do that difficult job, to put on the badge and show that kind of courage.”

He urged protesters—including clergy members—to respect law enforcement and “let them do their job.” Johnson added, “We should be on the side of law enforcement, and anybody who’s trying to disrupt those operations … they need to be handled the right way.”

The protests in question took place in California and Illinois, where clergy and activists demonstrated against immigration enforcement efforts. On October 23, protesters blocked law enforcement vehicles at Coast Guard Island in Alameda County, California, pounding on hoods and confronting ICE agents. Video footage shows agents deploying pepper rounds after being surrounded, with Rev. Jorge Bautista of College Heights Church in San Mateo reportedly struck in the face. Bautista later appeared in interviews with visible injuries.

A similar incident occurred weeks earlier in Broadview, Illinois, where Rev. David Black, pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Chicago, was struck by pepper rounds and tear gas outside an ICE facility. Black has since joined a lawsuit filed by the ACLU of Illinois alleging that his rights under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act were violated.

While critics claim these actions reveal hostility toward faith leaders advocating for immigrants, Johnson stood firm in his defense of federal officers. To him, the line between faith-based advocacy and interference with law enforcement must remain clear.

“Thank the Lord for the men and women who show up every day to keep this country safe,” Johnson said. “We owe them our gratitude—not our anger.”