DHS Surveillance of Left-Leaning Groups in Minnesota Revealed in Court Records

Court records released this week reveal that the Department of Homeland Security conducted a monthslong surveillance campaign against left-leaning groups in Minnesota following the January killing of a protester by a federal agent. The documents, filed as part of an ongoing federal case against 15 activists, detail undercover operations that targeted labor unions, climate organizations, and community groups with no evidence of criminal activity.

The surveillance, which included undercover agents infiltrating meetings and obtaining financial records, began on January 28, four days after federal immigration agents fatally shot Alex Pretti while he was filming a detention operation. The operation, dubbed "Operation Puppet Master," was initiated by Homeland Security Investigations, the investigative arm of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. A second operation, "Project Whipple Shield," also involved undercover agents.

According to court filings, agents attended community meetings, boxing lessons, and art club meetings undercover. They infiltrated Signal chat groups, recorded conversations, and collected license plate numbers from attendees at a church meeting. The agents compiled...