ICE Task Force Deployed 120 Agents to Monitor Protesters in Minnesota
Court filings reveal the use of drones, intercepted messages, and financial records in a federal conspiracy case against activists.
By Amina Howard ·
Immigration and Customs Enforcement has operated a surveillance program targeting left-wing activists and community organizers in Minnesota, according to court documents released this week. The evidence emerged in the federal conspiracy trial of 15 Minnesota residents who allegedly monitored immigration agents. The case centers on two specific operations, Project Whipple Shield and Operation Puppet Master.
The investigation utilized tools typically reserved for terrorism and organized crime cases. These methods included intercepted Signal messages, drone footage, and detailed financial records. The task force involved approximately 120 Homeland Security Investigations agents, including 11 undercover operatives. Agents attended activist meetings, marches, and training sessions in cities including Chicago, Seattle, and New York.
The operations proceed under National Security Presidential Memorandum 7. This directive followed the assassination of Charlie Kirk and instructs federal agencies to investigate individuals and groups accused of advancing political violence. Prosecutors argue that the defendants’ efforts to organize encrypted messaging groups and dispatch systems constituted a conspiracy to obstruct immigration enforcement and stalk federal agents.
Defense attorneys challenge the scope of the charges. Kevin Riach, a defense lawyer, stated that the government’s tactics resemble a domestic intelligence agency targeting political opponents. He described the operation as the new COINTELPRO, a reference to the FBI’s historical campaign to infiltrate civil rights and anti-war movements. Riach warned that the prosecution seeks to criminalize criticism of President Donald Trump’s immigration policies.
Former federal officials reviewed the filings and indicated the surveillance may extend beyond Minnesota. Spencer Reynolds, a former Department of Homeland Security attorney, noted that the surveillance apparatus operates alongside nationwide immigration raids. The investigation also questions how the unit accessed financial records and methods used to obtain journalists’ phone records.
Mike German, a retired FBI agent, observed that the government’s ability to combine communications, financial, and personal data makes modern investigations potentially more sweeping than previous efforts. The Minnesota case now serves as a test of how far the federal government can investigate Americans engaged in political protest.
