A federal prosecutor unveiled indictments against 15 Antifa-linked defendants in Minneapolis Tuesday — then got corrected by reporters who knew his own track record better than he did.
U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen for the District of Minnesota announced the indictment alongside Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Michael McCarthy. The defendants — members and associates of Direct Action Minnesota — face charges including conspiracy to impede or injure a federal officer, interstate stalking, and assault on a federal officer. Twelve were arrested Tuesday morning; two remain fugitives.
Minnesota Reformer reporter Madison McVan went first.
“More than one-third of prosecutors’ cases against people charged with protesting or stalking federal officers during Operation Metro Surge have already been dismissed or failed in some way,” McVan said. “Why is this case different?”
“I don’t think any cases have failed in any way,” Rosen replied.
“It’s actually half now,” a second reporter fired back, identifying himself as tracking the § 111 cases independently. “36 — 18 have been dropped entirely, three with prejudice. There are non-prosecution agreements in at least 11 others.”
He also flagged that U.S. District Judge David T. Schultz had called affidavits signed by Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Richard Berger “a fake affidavit” — saying Berger lacked personal knowledge of the events described.
“You watch how this case plays out,” Rosen said. “The evidence will prove it all out.”
The charges were brought under Joint Task Force Vanguard, which was stood up after President Donald Trump signed National Security Presidential Memorandum 7, directing the Justice Department to prioritize politically motivated violence. The Brennan Center for Justice warns that the administration’s Antifa prosecutions risk criminalizing constitutionally protected protests.
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