politics
US conducted ‘mass spying campaign’ against leftwing groups and anti-ICE protesters, records reveal
DHS sent undercover agents to meetings and infiltrated chats of groups opposing Trump’s immigration crackdown
TL;DR
- The US government, through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), conducted extensive spying operations on leftwing organizations and anti-immigration protesters.
- Operation 'Puppet Master' involved sending undercover agents to community meetings and infiltrating digital chats, as well as obtaining financial records of mainstream unions and non-profit groups.
- The investigations were linked to a criminal case filed against 15 Minneapolis protesters accused of impeding US immigration officers during a surge in the region.
- The DHS reportedly targeted groups including AFL-CIO, Service Employees International Union, Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), and the Sunrise Movement.
- Civil rights groups argue that these investigations represent a criminalization of lawful protest activity under the guise of targeting leftwing 'terrorism'.
- Undercover agents posed as activists, attended trainings, engaged with participants, and made audio recordings of events.
- The use of administrative subpoenas to obtain financial records without judicial authorization has drawn criticism from former law enforcement officials.