The Department of Justice unsealed a federal indictment accusing 15 members of a militant Antifa network of deliberately obstructing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Minneapolis. The defendants orchestrated blockades and physical resistance tactics to prevent federal officers from carrying out their duties around the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building.
According to the indictment, the group deployed trucks, flipped trailers, debris, and metal anti-vehicle barriers known as Czech hedgehogs to seal off roadways. They also used human shields and formed physical barricades to hinder law enforcement efforts. The actions took place on multiple occasions, including two significant incidents in late January and early March.
The investigation describes extensive planning over several months, facilitated through encrypted Signal messages, regular meet-ups, and tactics rehearsals. The defendants also operated a surveillance initiative called "Whipple Watch," where they monitored federal officers by photographing ICE vehicles and logging license plates into a public, real-time database. The group analyzed each encounter through "after-action reviews" to improve their disruptive methods.
U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen characterized the defendants as members of Direct Action Minnesota, a group known for its militant approach and rejection of peaceful protest methods. The defendants identified themselves as Antifa and "revolutionary anarchists," aiming to halt federal immigration enforcement by force. Rosen highlighted that the group exploited lawful protests as cover to launch unlawful actions against ICE and other law enforcement agencies.
The charges include conspiracy to impede federal officers, which carries a potential prison sentence of up to six years. Some defendants face additional accusations for assaulting agents and encouraging armed resistance against what they described as "literal Nazi gunmen." Of the 15 indicted, two individuals remain at large.
This case reflects an intensified federal crackdown on organized groups employing violence and obstruction to challenge lawful government operations. The investigation uncovered systematic training in aggressive tactics, including the use of shields and rapid deployment to counter law enforcement interventions.