A 94-page indictment against 15 defendants reveals inner workings of a group that a federal prosecutor called ‘highly organized.’
An Antifa group “infiltrated and exploited lawful protests” while they disrupted federal immigration enforcement officers earlier this year, alleged Minnesota U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen.
Now, 15 members or associates of that group, Minnesota Direct Action, are accused of conspiracy to impede or injure a federal officer. Several of the defendants also face additional charges alleging that they stalked, threatened, or attacked officers and damaged government property.
Rosen’s remarks during a June 16 news conference, coupled with details from the defendants’ 94-page indictment, reveal inner workings of the alleged conspiracy to thwart U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other agencies.
In late 2025, federal agents started a Minnesota crackdown called “Operation Metro Surge.” President Donald Trump directed agencies to deport illegal immigrants and clamp down on foreigners who exploited government benefit programs.
Clashes between officers and Minnesota protesters were frequent; officers fatally shot ICE opponents Renee Good and Alex Pretti in two separate January confrontations. Weeks later, federal officials scaled back the operation, citing increased cooperation from local authorities.
The alleged conspiracy involving Minnesota Direct Action occurred from January through June.
“Direct action refers to disruptive and obstructive tactics … to forcibly challenge, block, or stop immigration raids, detentions and deportations,” the indictment said.
The group called itself “a decentralized coalition of working-class people” focused on “community defense” against federal immigration efforts and “far-right violence more broadly,” according to the court document.
The group’s alleged violent tactics “endanger law enforcement and, importantly, endanger the very communities that these defendants falsely claim to be protecting,” Rosen said.
In fall 2025, prior to major anti-ICE resistance in Minnesota, Trump had Antifa classified as a “domestic terrorist organization,” citing armed standoffs against ICE in Portland, Oregon.
By Janice Hisle
