The Justice Department announced Tuesday that fifteen members and associates of a Minneapolis-based group called Direct Action Minnesota, often referred to as DAMN, are now facing a wide range of federal charges.
The case centers on accusations that the group engaged in coordinated efforts to interfere with federal officers through intimidation, property destruction, and physical confrontation.
What The Charges Include
According to the Justice Department, those named in the case face counts that include conspiracy to impede a federal officer, multiple counts of interstate stalking, interstate threats, solicitation to commit a crime of violence, several counts of assault on a federal officer, and destruction of government property.
The department shared the announcement publicly on the social media platform X, where it also posted images connected to the alleged conduct.
Those images reportedly showed group members blocking a public roadway, a trailer that had been flipped over during what officials described as a blockade, and a moment in which someone appeared to drive a vehicle toward a government officer’s car. Officials say the defendants are connected to broader Antifa networks operating in and around Minneapolis.
Officials Respond To The Indictment
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche addressed the charges directly, saying the group’s actions put more than just their intended targets at risk. He said the behavior created a dangerous situation for the surrounding community as well, and framed the arrests as part of a larger push to confront organized political violence in Minneapolis and other areas.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin also weighed in, calling the arrests a step forward for law and order.
He stated that anyone who lays a hand on law enforcement will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, adding that there is zero tolerance for violence directed at officers. Mullin said both assaulting and obstructing law enforcement will carry serious consequences.
The Justice Department has not yet released a full list of names tied to the indictment, though officials say more information is expected as the case moves through the legal process.
Investigators have indicated that the charges stem from incidents that took place over an extended period, suggesting the group had been under federal scrutiny for some time before the announcement.
This case adds to a string of recent federal actions targeting organized groups accused of confronting immigration and law enforcement operations across the country.
Federal officials have repeatedly stated in recent months that they intend to pursue criminal charges against individuals and groups they believe are coordinating efforts to disrupt federal agents in the field, rather than treating such incidents as isolated protest activity.
As the case develops, attorneys for the defendants have not yet issued public statements, and it remains unclear how many of the fifteen individuals are currently in custody.
Court proceedings are expected to begin in the coming weeks, and additional details about the timeline of events described in the indictment are likely to surface as filings become public.
