Fifteen individuals in Minnesota have been charged with conspiracy to impede or injure federal officers in connection with their response to a controversial and deadly immigration enforcement operation earlier this year. The announcement was made by US Attorney for Minnesota Daniel Rosen and the special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations during a press conference in Minneapolis on Tuesday.
Allegations of Antifa Involvement
Prosecutors allege that the defendants were part of two Minneapolis-based antifa groups that actively oppose immigration law enforcement. Of those charged, 12 were arrested on Tuesday, one was already in custody on other federal charges, and two remain at large, according to officials.
Rosen presented social media posts and videos of some of the indicted individuals to support the allegations that they intended to hinder law enforcement. In one video, a man declares his affiliation with antifa and discusses bringing guns to a demonstration. Rosen did not confirm whether any agents or officers were injured by the defendants.
Background of the Crackdown
The Trump administration deployed thousands of immigration agents to Minnesota starting in late 2025, partly based on fraud allegations against Somali residents. The operation, known as Operation Metro Surge, led to widespread protests and community responses, including monitoring agents and providing food for those staying home. Agents killed two individuals, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, during the operation, sparking further outrage.
Community Reaction
Outside the federal courthouse on Tuesday, a group of dozens gathered to denounce the charges, including Nekima Levy Armstrong, who faces separate charges related to a church protest. Signs in the crowd read “stop FBI entrapment” and “protesting is not a crime.”
Rosen hinted that more charges could follow as investigations continue. “If you are actively conspiring to impede law enforcement … you ought to go on the assumption that we’re watching, and we’ll get you,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sarah Lazare of Workday Magazine reported on X that a constitutional observer’s home in South Minneapolis was raided by DHS, ICE, and HSI, resulting in an arrest.
Broader Context
This case is part of a broader federal effort to suppress opposition to immigration enforcement. Earlier this year, the Trump administration secured its first conviction based on antifa terrorism in the Prairieland case in north Texas, involving a non-fatal shooting at a July 4, 2025 demonstration, with 22 defendants across federal and state charges. In Spokane, Washington, three activists were convicted of conspiracy over an anti-ICE demonstration. In Illinois, six people were charged with conspiracy over a protest at the Broadview detention facility, though charges were later dropped amid allegations of prosecutorial misconduct.
Additionally, nearly 40 others, including journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort, face federal charges over a protest at a church in St Paul, Minnesota, where a pastor reportedly worked as an ICE official. Local prosecutors declined to charge the protesters.
