ICE surveillance of activists draws COINTELPRO comparisons

A federal task force built for immigration enforcement is conducting a wide-ranging surveillance operation against left-wing activists, according to newly released court documents. The effort involves undercover agents, drone footage, and financial tracking methods typically reserved for terrorism cases. Defense attorneys for 15 Minnesota residents facing federal conspiracy charges argue the government is using the agency to monitor political critics.

The case stems from activities that began in December 2025. During Operation Metro Surge, activists created encrypted messaging groups and dispatch systems to track federal agents. Prosecutors claim these efforts formed a conspiracy to obstruct enforcement and stalk officers. The defendants contend the charges stretch far beyond what they actually did.

Two specific operations, Project Whipple Shield and Operation Puppet Master, drive the investigation. They operate under National Security Presidential Memorandum 7, a directive issued after the assassination of Charlie Kirk. The order requires federal agencies to investigate groups accused of advancing political violence or ideologies hostile to the administration. The task force deployed roughly 120 Homeland Security Investigations agents, including 11 undercover operatives.

Agents attended meetings, marches, and training sessions in cities including Chicago, Seattle, and New York. They also intercepted Signal messages and accessed commercial databases to pull personal and financial records. The scope of the data collection has raised questions about how an immigration unit gained access to tools usually associated with domestic intelligence work.

Former federal officials reviewed the filings and believe the operation extends beyond the Minnesota case. Spencer Reynolds, a former Department of Homeland Security attorney, said the surveillance runs alongside national immigration raids. Mike German, a retired FBI agent, noted that combining communications and financial data makes modern investigations more sweeping than previous efforts.

Kevin Riach, a defense attorney, stated that ICE’s tactics resemble a domestic intelligence agency targeting political opponents. He described the setup as the new COINTELPRO. The Minnesota prosecution may determine how far the federal government can investigate Americans engaged in political protest. The next step in the legal process is scheduled for November 2026.