US government spied on left‑wing and anti‑ICE protesters

The U.S. Department of Justice confirmed that federal agencies monitored participants in recent anti‑Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) demonstrations, a disclosure that emerged in a report released on Monday. According to the findings, surveillance activities were conducted during a series of protests in major cities between March and June 2026, targeting organizers and attendees who opposed ICE’s immigration policies. The investigation was prompted by a Freedom of Information Act request filed by civil‑rights groups seeking clarity on the scope of government monitoring of lawful dissent.

The report details that the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Homeland Security employed a combination of open‑source intelligence, social‑media analytics, and physical observation to track protest activities. Approximately 150 individuals were placed under surveillance, with data collection including public statements, travel patterns and attendance at rallies. Officials cited concerns about potential threats to public safety and the possibility of extremist infiltration as justification for the operations. In response, the American Civil Liberties Union and the Electronic Frontier Foundation criticized the actions as an overreach that could chill First Amendment rights, urging congressional oversight and a review of existing surveillance policies.

The revelation has sparked bipartisan calls for greater transparency regarding the monitoring of political protests. Lawmakers announced plans to hold hearings to assess whether the surveillance complied with statutory limits and constitutional protections. The Department of Justice indicated that it will cooperate fully with any inquiries and has pledged to review internal protocols to ensure future activities align with legal standards.