Federal prosecutors in Minnesota have charged 15 people allegedly tied to two Minneapolis-based antifa groups.
U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen for the District of Minnesota and Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Michael McCarthy announced the charges during a press conference late Tuesday morning.
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Officials say the case involves multiple defendants accused of conspiracy to impede or injure federal officers and related crimes that “violently oppose immigration law enforcement.”
In the past 24 hours, Rosen said most were arrested in a federal operation, but two are not in custody.
RELATED: Minnesota man charged after he reportedly called for others to attack federal agents
McCarthy said the investigation leading to these charges found “extensive planning, material support and coordinated attacks against federal personnel and facilities.” He also called the charges “an important milestone” for maintaining the rule of law and stopping violence against law enforcement.
The DOJ alleges that the 15 defendants are members and associates of Direct Action Minnesota. They face charges ranging from conspiracy to impede a federal officer to stalking, threats, solicitation to commit a violent crime, assaulting a federal officer and destruction of government property.
Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Michael McCarthy announces anti-ICE charges on June 16, 2026. (KSTP-TV)
“For those who choose to threaten or harm federal officers, the Department of Justice will hold you accountable,” said Rosen. “The direct actions alleged in the indictment are un-American. And they will be met with swift justice.”
When asked about other cases against protesters being dismissed recently, Rosen said, “I don’t think any cases have failed in any way,” before adding, “the evidence will prove it all out.”
Last fall, President Donald Trump signed an executive order designating antifa as a domestic terrorist organization. Rosen says many of the defendants charged Tuesday identify as members of that organization.
When asked several times if any agents were injured, prosecutors refused to answer — only saying it would be made clear through the court process.
Prosecutors were also pressed on what antifa is.
“What is Antifa goes beyond, goes beyond, I think, the scope of what this indictment is. But what we can tell you is that we have plenty of people that self-identify in that way, and you might want to ask them that,” Rosen said, adding about whether simply being connected to the movement is a crime, “It’s a crime to conspire for the purpose of impeding or injuring federal officers.”
“It’s a crime to conspire together in order to commit crimes of violence. It’s a crime to get together to stalk. It’s a crime to get together to make threats. It’s a crime to get together to assault federal officers. It’s a crime to get together to distract to destroy federal property,” Rosen said.
Given the attack and assault allegations mentioned during the news conference and in the indictment — including, among other allegations, ice chunks being thrown at agents and a defendant sideswiping an agent in their vehicle, causing a collision — reporter Ben Henry pressed Rosen about why none of that physical evidence was shared.
Henry: What evidence do you have that these assaults and attacks took place?
Rosen: We have video evidence, we have eyewitness testimony, and all of that evidence will roll out.
Henry: Why not share it in the press conference today, like you did with a few still images? Why not show some of these attacks today?
Rosen: We’re showing what we think is necessary in order to get the story out and I recommend that you read the indictment.
One of the people charged is Erik Davis, a professor at Macalester College in St. Paul. A statement from the school can be read below:
“Macalester College is aware that professor Erik Davis is among fifteen individuals charged in connection with an ongoing federal investigation. The College does not comment on pending legal proceedings.”
Defense attorneys react
“It’s politically motivated,” said James Cook, the defense attorney for one of the defendants, Natasha Rakotz.
According to the formal indictment, prosecutors accuse the defendants of using encrypted chat apps to coordinate their activities like stalking ICE agents in person and online, creating blockades to obstruct operations and “de-arresting” people already in custody.
“This is a fascist prosecution. People are being prosecuted for peaceful political dissent,” said Jordan Kushner, who is also defending some of the accused.
He believes the charges won’t stand and, in court, called the prosecution politically motivated.
“Most of our clients have never been in trouble with the law before,” added Defense Attorney Trisha Pohland. “Many are very frightened because now they’re seeing charges against them for doing something they knew was lawful.”
Cook told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS late Tuesday night that Rakotz will turn herself in on Wednesday morning.
After making their first appearances Tuesday afternoon, several of the defendants are now out on bond, but they’re forbidden from attending any protests or having any communication with each other as the case makes its way through the court system.
See the full indictment below or by clicking here.
Below are images the DOJ helps tie the defendants to actions for which they’re now charged.
