Kathmandu— Earlier this year in Minnesota, the Trump administration’s Department of Homeland Security (DHS) conducted a sweeping undercover investigation into nonprofit groups and two major labor unions—the Communications Workers of America (CWA) and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). The probe, which involved infiltrating meetings, subpoenaing financial records, and surveilling union officers, led to the indictments of fifteen people in June and has sparked accusations of political prosecution from those targeted. Investigators utilized tactics ranging from undercover agents attending public events to facial recognition software and administrative subpoenas, allegedly motivated by fears over growing labor action against ICE and Border Patrol.

Undercover Operation And Initial Indictments

The investigation came to light after news broke of the DHS’s surveillance activities in Minnesota earlier this year. The agency infiltrated meetings organized by unions and nonprofits, seeking financial records and monitoring key individuals. These actions ultimately resulted in the indictment of fifteen people in June, prompting accusations that the charges were politically motivated. Kieran Knutson, President of CWA Local 7250, stated his organization had been subjected to an “illegal and aggressive federal investigation” involving undercover agents entering their office and surveilling officers.

Concerns Over Political Motivation

Federal Deputy Attorney General Brian Lynch, who participated in the January 6th insurrection at the Capitol, is now leading a task force focused on prosecuting left-wing activism. The administration frames this as addressing “political violence,” but critics allege it’s being used to target opponents through Trump’s National Security Policy Memorandum (NSPM-7). Prosecutors reportedly presented a slide to a grand jury depicting unions and nonprofits alongside a bike shop, falsely portraying them as part of an “antifa conspiracy.” Paul Kirk-Davidoff, an Executive Board member with UFCW Local 663, believed the surveillance stemmed from fears over a January 23rd mass strike and potential further labor action.

Surveillance Tactics Detailed

The investigation employed a range of intrusive tactics. Undercover agents attended meetings at churches, parks, libraries, schools, and union halls, recording conversations and gathering information on participants. At one event organized by the Sunrise Movement, an agent allegedly attempted to entrap a speaker by offering to build items for “direct action.” Federal agents also utilized facial recognition software, Clearview AI, to compile dossiers of activists and map their affiliations in organizational charts. Administrative subpoenas were used to obtain financial records from SEIU, CWA, the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, Sunrise Movement, and Voices for Racial Justice. Investigators found only routine union expenses—such as dues, strike payments, and medical costs—when reviewing these records.

Union Response And Solidarity

The targeted unions have strongly condemned the investigation. Bernie Burnham, President of the Minnesota AFL-CIO, called it an “unhinged conspiracy theory” and a return to McCarthyism. He criticized the administration for focusing on intimidation rather than addressing issues like the deaths of Renée Good and Alex Pretti at the hands of federal agents. Marcia Howard, Teacher Chapter President of the Minneapolis Federation of Educators, stated that her organization would continue to peacefully protest despite the investigation. Claude Cummings Jr., CWA President, emphasized the union’s long history of standing up to opposition and vowed not to be intimidated.

The Minnesota AFL-CIO and other organizations are responding with solidarity, defending their constitutional rights and condemning what they see as a politically motivated attack on labor and community organizing. The investigation remains ongoing, and legal challenges to the indictments are expected.

(With inputs from Jacobin)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.