DOJ Charges Protesters as Terrorists in Texas Trial

Prosecutors aim to set precedent by labeling activists as domestic terrorists.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The U.S. Department of Justice is pursuing charges against nine protesters arrested during a July ICE protest in Minneapolis, alleging they are members of the 'domestic terrorist organization' Antifa. This high-profile trial is seen as a test case for the DOJ's ability to raise the stakes for certain types of criminal and non-criminal actions by labeling groups as terrorist organizations.

Why it matters

The DOJ's aggressive prosecution of these protesters as 'domestic terrorists' could have far-reaching implications for how the government can target and criminalize political dissent and activism, even for non-violent civil disobedience. A win for the DOJ in this case could embolden them to apply the 'domestic terrorist' label more broadly against other protest movements.

The details

In the July protest, a police lieutenant was shot, 19 people were arrested, and now 9 are on trial. The DOJ is seeking to prove the protesters are members of the 'domestic terrorist organization' Antifa in order to secure harsher sentences. Legal experts argue the DOJ is pushing the boundaries of how 'domestic terrorism' can be defined and applied.

  • The July ICE protest in Minneapolis that led to the arrests occurred on July 12, 2025.
  • The trial of the 9 protesters began on March 3, 2026.

The players

U.S. Department of Justice

The federal law enforcement agency prosecuting the protesters as domestic terrorists.

Leeja Miller

A lawyer and YouTuber based in Minneapolis who has been following the case closely.

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What they’re saying

“The DOJ's aggressive prosecution of these protesters as 'domestic terrorists' could have far-reaching implications for how the government can target and criminalize political dissent and activism, even for non-violent civil disobedience.”

— Leeja Miller, Lawyer and YouTuber (Slate)

What’s next

The trial is ongoing, and a verdict is expected within the next few weeks. Legal experts will be closely watching to see if the DOJ is successful in its efforts to label the protesters as domestic terrorists, which could set a dangerous precedent.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing tension between the government's desire to crack down on perceived threats to public order and the rights of citizens to peacefully protest. The outcome could have significant implications for how activism and dissent are policed and prosecuted in the United States.