US conducted mass spying campaign against leftwing and anti-ICE protesters

The Department of Homeland Security conducted an extensive surveillance operation called "Operation Puppet Master" against leftwing organizations and anti-ICE protesters in Minnesota and New York City, deploying undercover agents to meetings, infiltrating encrypted chats, and obtaining financial records of unions and nonprofits. Nearly 30 internal DHS investigative reports were disclosed in a criminal case against 15 Minneapolis protesters, though none of the mainstream organizations targeted—including AFL-CIO, DSA, and SEIU—have been charged with crimes. Civil rights advocates argue the government used the operation to criminalize lawful protest activity under the pretense of combating domestic terrorism.