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By Dan Gooding
Associate News Editor
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The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday charged multiple people in Minnesota who it alleges are from antifa groups in connection with resistance to immigration enforcement.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol swept into Minneapolis and St. Paul during the winter as part of a large-scale enforcement operation that sparked resistance and protests from locals and saw two U.S. citizens shot dead by federal agents.
During a press conference in Minneapolis on Tuesday morning, the DOJ said multiple defendants had been charged with conspiracy to impede federal agents.
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Protests took place in the city against the arrests. Minnesota 50501 Chair Drew Harmon told Newsweek that the grassroots group "abhors and condemns" the indictments.
"They are a move from a weak, flailing regime, trying desperately to appear strong and cling to power," Harmon said. "The absurdity that they are arresting people for blowing whistles and observing law enforcement while the murderers of Renee Good and Alex Pretti and the ICE agents who brutalized us and kidnapped our neighbors walk free is not lost on us."
Newsweek reached out to the DOJ and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for comment.
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Minneapolis Charges: What To Know
The Minnesota U.S. Attorney Daniel N. Rosen said Tuesday that 15 people had been charged over allegedly impeding federal agents, as well as stalking, assault, and threatening officers. So far, 13 of the 15 individuals are in custody, the attorney said.
The charges, in a federal indictment now unsealed, came as part of Joint Taskforce Vanguard, a Trump administration program started as part of efforts to tackle political violence, Rosen said.
"These defendants have been charged not for what they said, but for what they did," Rosen told reporters Tuesday. "They all joined an agreement, a conspiracy to interfere with lawful immigration enforcement operations*."*
Rosen went on to show social media posts from defendants from earlier this year, which he said showed their connection to antifa.
Key Alleged Tactics Used by Defendants
- Blocking roads and federal facilities, including the Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis
- Tracking ICE vehicles and officers using databases and chats
- Deploying shields, barriers, and vehicles to obstruct operations
- Following (“commuting”) officers and interfering with arrests and transport
"Such stalking and other direct actions against law enforcement are criminal. They're un-American, and they'll be met with swift justice. That's why we're here today," Rosen said. "To those who choose to threaten or harm federal officers, we will hold you accountable. We will defend federal officers. We will protect the public. We will enforce the law."
Who Was Charged?
The central charge faced by all defendants revealed Tuesday was conspiracy to impede federal officers, with additional charges including solicitation of violence, interstate threats, stalking, assault, and property destruction.
All 15 defendants are alleged to be members or associates of the same core organization, Twin Cities Direct Action (TCDA), which was later renamed Direct Action Minnesota (DAMN). The indictment frames them as part of a single coordinated group, not separate actors.
What Happened in Minneapolis?
As part of the Trump administration's immigration enforcement efforts, hundreds of federal agents arrived in the Twin Cities in December, aiming to detain immigrants without legal status. So-called Operation Metro Surge came after similar efforts in Los Angeles and Chicago, which had also seen widespread resistance from local Democratic leaders, other Americans and immigrants.
As the Minneapolis efforts ramped up in early January, multiple protests broke out around the city, with locals often acting as legal observers to ICE and Border Patrol activity. The federal government accused several of these groups of actively impeding agents from enforcing the law.
On January 7, during one of these operations in a residential neighborhood, Renee Nicole Good was shot and killed by an ICE agent. On January 24, Alex Pretti, a nurse, was shot dead in the street by a Border Patrol agent.
The shootings were a turning point, triggering widespread demonstrations and deepening political divisions over the limits of federal enforcement. Critics accused agents of using excessive force and unconstitutional tactics, while federal officials defended the operations as necessary to carry out immigration law.
The unrest, including large-scale protests, clashes with law enforcement and property damage, set the stage for a prolonged standoff between federal authorities and local activists that has continued through the spring.
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What Is Antifa?
"Antifa," short for "anti‑fascist," refers to a loosely organized movement rather than a centralized group, made up of activists who oppose far-right ideologies and authoritarianism. The label has been adopted by individuals and networks across the country, including some who participated in protests against ICE operations in Minnesota.
In the Minneapolis context, references to antifa have emerged along with heightened anti‑ICE activism, particularly during demonstrations sparked by Operation Metro Surge. Protests drew a mix of community members, advocacy groups and some individuals identifying with broader anti‑fascist or anti‑government movements.
Government officials have increasingly highlighted the role of individuals who claim affiliation with antifa in cases involving threats against ICE personnel, while critics argue the term is often used broadly or politically to characterize protest activity. As a result, its meaning can vary, from a general ideological label to a descriptor applied by law enforcement in specific criminal cases, rather than referring to a single, structured organization.
Trump Admin Questioned Over Antifa Allegations
During Tuesday's press briefing, Rosen and Michael McCarthy, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), were questioned by reporters about links to antifa and whether there was solid evidence of such coordination.
Rosen appeared certain that the evidence presented as the case plays out would prove such links, despite other cases being dismissed by the courts in recent months. As of Tuesday morning, he said he could not elaborate on some of the finer details of the alleged offenses, including the injuries sustained by officers.
McCarthy also said this was not about suppressing freedom of speech or the right to protest, adding that the Trump administration was defending it.
"Our message is clear. You may not agree with the laws, you may protest the laws, but you must follow the laws or face the consequences. It is not optional," he said. "We will enforce the law. Any attempt to undermine it through violence or intimidation will be met with decisive action*."*
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