Federal Indictment Targets Alleged Antifa-Affiliated Group for Coordinated Interference with ICE Operations in Minnesota

On June 16, 2026, U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen for the District of Minnesota announced federal charges against 15 individuals tied to Direct Action Minnesota (DAMN) and the Black Cat Workers Collective, groups described in the indictment as having Antifa connections. The charges include conspiracy to impede or injure federal officers, solicitation to commit violent crimes, interstate threats, stalking, assault on federal officers, and destruction of government property.

According to the Department of Justice, the defendants allegedly conspired to violently disrupt U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations during intensified enforcement actions in the state earlier in the year. Specific actions cited include blockading facilities like the Whipple Federal Building using trailers, human chains, and other barriers, supported by communications on platforms like Signal detailing planning, trainings, and logistics.

This case forms part of a broader federal push under the Trump administration to address organized resistance to immigration enforcement, following the president's 2025 designation of Antifa as a domestic terrorist organization and related directives. Minnesota has seen heightened tensions amid claims of large-scale fraud in immigrant networks and subsequent federal responses.

The indictment underscores the distinction between protected protest and criminal conduct involving force or threats against law enforcement. While some prior anti-ICE cases have faced dismissal, prosecutors expressed confidence in the evidence here, including detailed records of coordinated actions.

Local reactions included protests outside the federal courthouse in St. Paul following the announcement, highlighting ongoing debates over law enforcement tactics and community impacts.