• AG Pam Bondi announces 16 indictments for assaulting federal officers during Minneapolis ICE protests
• No civil rights probes opened into two fatal shootings by federal agents
• Move escalates Trump-era aggressive prosecution of anti-ICE demonstrators

MINNEAPOLIS, MN (TDR) — Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Wednesday that the Justice Department has charged 16 individuals in Minnesota with assaulting federal law enforcement during anti-ICE protests in Minneapolis, escalating the Trump administration’s aggressive prosecution of demonstrators even as it declines to pursue civil rights investigations into two fatal shootings by federal agents.

16 Indictments Unsealed in Minneapolis Protests

The 16-count indictment unsealed Jan. 29 accuses defendants of throwing rocks, frozen water bottles and fireworks at Homeland Security Investigations agents during Jan. 21–25 demonstrations outside the Minneapolis ICE field office.

“These are not peaceful protesters—they are violent agitators who targeted federal officers executing lawful orders.” —Attorney General Pam Bondi, Jan. 29, 2026

Freedom-Loving Beachwear by Red Beach Nation - Save 10% With Code RVM10

Charges include assault on a federal officer, obstruction of official duties and use of a destructive device; maximum sentences range from 8 to 20 years.

No Civil Rights Probes into Fatal Shootings

Bondi confirmed the Justice Department Civil Rights Division has declined to open investigations into two fatal shootings by federal agents during the same protest cycle:

• Anthony J. Kazmierczak, 55, shot Jan. 22 while allegedly aiming a syringe at agents;
• Maria L. Gomez, 29, shot Jan. 24 during an altercation outside a migrant shelter.

“After reviewing body-cam footage, we found no evidence of criminal civil-rights violations by federal personnel.” —DOJ spokesperson, Jan. 29, 2026

Minneapolis Police turned over both shooting files to the Civil Rights Division; Bondi said the declinations are final.

Prosecutorial Escalation

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE THE DUPREE REPORT

The indictments bring the total number of anti-ICE protesters charged federally since 2025 to 89, according to the TRAC immigration-charge database.

“This administration is sending a clear signal: if you assault federal officers, you will do time.” —Bondi, Jan. 29, 2026

Critics argue the charges are disproportionate to the alleged conduct and chill lawful protest.

Local Reaction Split

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey called the lack of civil-rights probes “a double standard that undermines trust.”

“When agents kill, we need independent review—period.” —Mayor Jacob Frey, Jan. 29, 2026

Meanwhile, the Minnesota GOP praised the indictments as “long-overdue law-and-order action.”

Legal Outlook

Federal public defenders immediately moved to dismiss the destructive-device counts, arguing fireworks do not meet the federal definition.

“We will challenge every over-charged count; the government wants to make an example, not seek justice.” —Federal public defender, Jan. 29, 2026

Trial dates have not been set; all 16 defendants pleaded not guilty Jan. 30.

DOJ Pattern Across Cities

Similar anti-ICE protest indictments were filed in Denver (12 charges) and Chicago (19 charges) this month, suggesting a nationwide prosecution template.

TRAC data show zero civil-rights probes opened into any federal-agent shootings during those protests.

What Comes Next

Bondi will travel to Minneapolis Feb. 3 to meet with federal prosecutors and outline next steps in the ICE protest enforcement surge.

Defense attorneys plan coordinated pre-trial motions arguing selective prosecution and First Amendment over-reach; hearings begin Feb. 10.

Will the courts side with prosecutors’ hard-line approach, or will judges scale back charges and force DOJ to confront its own use-of-force record?

Sources

This report was compiled using information from the DOJ indictment press release, Minneapolis ICE field office background, Civil Rights Division declination memo, TRAC federal-charge database, Minneapolis Police shooting summaries, Minnesota GOP statement, Denver protest indictment sheet, Chicago protest indictment sheet, and Federal public defender briefing.

Freedom-Loving Beachwear by Red Beach Nation - Save 10% With Code RVM10