DHS Operations Target Minneapolis Protest Organizers

Federal agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) launched “Operation Puppet Master” on Jan. 28, opening a probe into an “organized network of conspirators” they said was providing material support to violent opportunists. A second inquiry, dubbed “Whipple Shield,” began in February and expanded to obtain financial records from labor unions, climate groups and other left-leaning nonprofits. The investigations used administrative subpoenas to the Federal Reserve, PayPal and Venmo, seeking details on union dues, pension expenses and donations. HSI also deployed undercover informants to meetings at churches, a public library and a university gym, documenting activities ranging from a “No Kings” rally on March 28 to an anti-Iran-War protest.

Talking Points Memo

The probes followed a surge of federal officers into Minneapolis after the Trump administration’s deployment of troops to quell unrest. Four days after agents shot and killed Alex Pretti, the DOJ’s Joint Task Force Vanguard—co-led by Brian W. Lynch, a former Jan. 6 Capitol marcher—filed a broad conspiracy indictment against fifteen activists, later dubbed the “Minneapolis 15.” The task force cited National Security Presidential Memorandum-7, a directive that frames opposition to the administration as domestic-terrorism financing.

Talking Points Memo

Defense attorney Kevin Riach argues the investigations constitute a campaign of “abuses” against ordinary citizens and civil-society groups, noting that HSI obtained records “with zero criminal predicate.” HSI agents, citing the statute that permits Customs officials to inspect books and records, claimed the financial review was essential to uncover “protest domestic terrorist financing.”

Talking Points Memo

• “HSI secretly obtained financial records for several national labor unions, including SEIU and the Communications Workers of America, and social justice non-profits including the Sunrise Movement and Voices for Racial Justice, all with zero criminal predicate to do so,” — Kevin Riach, defense attorney

Talking Points Memo