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x.com/aldamu_jo/status/2009686662360772612
Yes, the core incident in the tweet/video is real and happened — ICE agents did detain a man described by witnesses as a pastor (named Pastor Lourenço, formerly of Open Door Church in Portland, Maine) in Lewiston, Maine, around Christmas Eve 2025 (reports vary slightly between Dec 23–24). The video circulating widely (including the one attached to the @aldamu_jo post and originals from late December) shows agents in tactical gear removing him from a vehicle, cuffing him, and leading him away despite protests.
Key Details from Credible Reports
• Location & Date: Near the Picker House Lofts apartment complex in Lewiston, Maine, on or around December 23–24, 2025.
• What the Video Shows: Agents approach a vehicle, argue with the man (who reportedly showed ID), forcibly remove him (dragging him out/on the ground in some descriptions), and cuff him. Witnesses yell “He’s a pastor! You’re beating a pastor!” An agent responds dismissively with something very close to “He’s not a pastor in this country” (or “Not in this state” in some accounts) — this quip is widely quoted across sources.
• Context: ICE labeled it an arrest of an “Angola suspect” (likely an Angolan national suspected of immigration violations). The man was from Angola (or of African origin), and supporters claim he was a respected local pastor/community leader who had contributed to faith and service in Maine. He was detained to verify his legal status, even after showing ID — standard ICE procedure for suspected immigration issues, but the timing (holidays) and force used sparked outrage.
• Aftermath: Advocacy groups (e.g., on Instagram/Facebook) called for support, legal fees, and highlighted it as xenophobic/racist. Some pro-enforcement accounts mocked the “pastor” claim, saying it doesn’t grant legal status. No major injuries or charges against agents reported yet, but it’s part of broader criticism of ICE actions under the current administration (including other pastor-related incidents in 2025).
Why It Went Viral & Got Sensationalized
The story exploded on social media (Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter, Yahoo/New Republic articles) with emotional framing: “Violently detained a pastor on Christmas Eve,” “Trump’s goons,” “celebrating the birth of Jesus by brutalizing a Christian.” Left-leaning outlets emphasized cruelty/racism; right-leaning ones noted “yelling ‘he’s a pastor’ doesn’t grant legal status.” The agent’s quip became a meme-like soundbite highlighting perceived callousness.
Caveats
• “Violent” & “beating” claims are subjective — the video shows forceful handling (dragging/cuffing), but not extreme beatings (no visible weapons beyond standard gear). Descriptions vary by source.
• Legal status — ICE proceeded because they suspected immigration violations (possibly overstay or unlawful presence from Angola). Being a pastor doesn’t exempt anyone from immigration enforcement.
• This fits a pattern of 2025 ICE actions drawing protests, including detentions of other clergy or aggressive enforcement.
The tweet from @aldamu_jo (posted Jan 9, 2026) is recirculating an older viral clip from late December — accurate in quotes and events, but like many posts, it’s framed to provoke outrage. If you’re seeing it now, it’s because the clip keeps getting reshared amid ongoing immigration debates.
Bottom line: The detention and key quotes are factual, backed by video evidence and multiple news/advocacy reports. It’s not fabricated like some viral stories we’ve discussed before. If more official ICE statements emerge, it could clarify the man’s exact status, but the incident itself checks out.
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x.com/donwinslow/status/2009033340620558720
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https://x.com/adamscochran/status/2008999796078424218?s=46&t=XgBsxv5LyxWhmBuQ2wK5bA
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https://x.com/adamscochran/status/2009016718287622530?s=46&t=XgBsxv5LyxWhmBuQ2wK5bA
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https://x.com/partisan_12/status/2008550158930432471?s=46&t=XgBsxv5LyxWhmBuQ2wK5bA
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