Documents show federal surveillance operation in Minnesota targeted progressive groups, unions
- Department of Homeland Security agents conducted a widespread undercover surveillance operation in Minnesota, targeting progressive activist groups and major labor unions protesting a massive federal immigration crackdown in the Minneapolis area.
- The programs, dubbed "Operation Puppet Master" and "Project Whipple Shield," were aimed at investigating what federal officials characterized as a network aiding "violent opportunists and agitators," following the deployment of 3,000 DHS officers to the region.
- Undercover officers secretly infiltrated public activist meetings at churches, libraries, schools, and parks—monitoring encrypted chat channels, logging attendee vehicle license plates, and tracking nonviolent protest planning.
- Surveillance extended to 18 major labor unions and grassroots organizations, including the AFL-CIO, SEIU, CWA, and the Sunrise Movement, with federal authorities obtaining years of financial and banking transaction records.
- The intelligence operations were revealed in court filings by defense attorney Kevin Riach, who accused the government of conducting a politically driven, anti-democratic investigation to intimidate constitutionally protected dissent.
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Ohio Capital Journal
tiffinohio.netDocuments show how feds spied on protesters, left-wing organizations and unions during Metro Surge
Federal agents stage at a front gate as Reps. Ilhan Omar, Kelly Morrison and Rep. Angie Craig, all Minnesota Democrats, attempt to enter the regional Immigration and Customs Enforcement headquarters at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis on Jan. 10, 2026. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)Homeland Security investigators secretly recorded conversations, infiltrated Signal chats and obtained financial records for labor un…
“Operation Puppet Master”: Trump Admin Spied on Minnesota Activists & Unions After ICE Killings
Newly released federal documents have revealed the existence of an expansive surveillance program launched by the federal government against activists, labor unions, community groups, and even a bicycle repair collective, in Minnesota last winter. “Operation Puppet Master” was launched in response to statewide protests against the ICE killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good. The program has come to light in the course of a federal case against 15 Minnesotans who have been accused of “conspiracy”
Surveillance of Minn. labor unions echoes history, tests legal limits
The wide-ranging surveillance campaign by the federal government against local labor unions, as revealed in court records this week, has angered protesters and stunned constitutional scholars. But it’s not the first time the country has used its resources to probe…
Bring back the Alien and Sedition Acts
The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported this week, Federal agents surveilled Minnesota unions in hunt for Antifa conspiracy case. You will recall that the U.S. Dept. of Justice is prosecuting fifteen (15) Antifa defendants for felony criminal conspiracy in impeding Operation Metro Surge this past winter. The 15 defendants were charged via a 94-page federal grand jury indictment. The case is captioned USA v. Sant (File No. 26-cr-115) and is due ba…
Documents show how feds spied on protesters, left-wing organizations and unions during Metro Surge
Homeland Security investigators secretly recorded conversations, infiltrated Signal chats and obtained financial records for labor unions and progressive groups as part of a wide-ranging surveillance effort during Operation Metro Surge, according to court documents filed Thursday morning.
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