Federal prosecutors downgrade charges against anti-ICE protesters amid rising assaults on law enforcement
By patricklewis // 2026-02-09
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  • Attacks on ICE agents have risen dramatically, with a 413% increase in Los Angeles alone, including incidents where officers were pelted with rocks, surrounded by hostile crowds, and doxxed.
  • Despite Attorney General Pam Bondi's vow to prosecute violent protesters under 18 U.S.C. (felony assault on federal officers), half of the 16 Minnesota cases were quietly reduced to misdemeanors, undermining deterrence.
  • Cases like Gillian Etherington (rammed a border patrol vehicle) and Emily Baierl (bit an officer's finger) saw felony charges dropped, signaling weak enforcement against violent agitators.
  • Progressive DAs like Portland's Mike Schmidt refuse to prosecute protest-related misdemeanors, emboldening further violence against law enforcement.
  • DHS officials blame Democratic leaders' rhetoric for escalating hostility, while federal prosecutors' reluctance to pursue felonies raises concerns about political interference in justice.
Federal prosecutors in Minnesota have quietly downgraded felony charges against at least half of the 16 anti-ICE agitators arrested last week for allegedly assaulting or interfering with federal agents during immigration enforcement operations. This move comes despite Attorney General Pam Bondi's earlier pledge to prosecute violent protesters under 18 U.S.C., which establishes felony penalties for forcibly assaulting, resisting or impeding federal officers. Instead, many cases have been reduced to lower-level misdemeanors, raising concerns about accountability for escalating violence against law enforcement. Bondi had personally traveled to Minnesota last week to oversee the filing of felony charges against the protesters, vowing on social media, "I am on the ground in Minneapolis today. Federal agents have arrested 16 Minnesota rioters for allegedly assaulting federal law enforcement—people who have been resisting and impeding our federal law enforcement agents." She added, "NOTHING will stop President Trump and this Department of Justice from enforcing the law." Yet, the DOJ's apparent retreat from felony prosecutions suggests a troubling shift—one that may embolden further attacks on officers.

Assaults on ICE officers skyrocket

The downgrading of charges coincides with alarming statistics revealing a sharp increase in assaults against ICE officers. According to data from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), agents have faced unprecedented hostility, particularly in liberal strongholds like Los Angeles and Minneapolis, where anti-ICE riots have erupted. Officers report being pelted with rocks, surrounded by hostile crowds and even doxxed online, forcing many to wear masks—not for anonymity, but for protection against retaliation. One particularly harrowing incident occurred in Minnesota, where a convicted child sex offender dragged an ICE officer 50 yards with his vehicle while resisting arrest. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin described the case as emblematic of the dangers agents now face daily. "This is not an isolated incident," she warned. "Our officers are under siege and the rhetoric from Democratic leaders has only inflamed tensions."

Cases downgraded without explanation

Among the Minnesota cases, Gillian Etherington—who allegedly rammed her car into a Border Patrol vehicle before fleeing, striking an unmarked law enforcement car and continuing to resist arrest—had her felony charge reduced to a misdemeanor this past Tuesday with no public explanation. Similarly, Emily Baierl, who bit an officer's finger during a demonstration following the death of Alex Pretti, saw her felony charges dropped to misdemeanors despite clear evidence of physical assault. Legal analysts suggest that the DOJ's reluctance to pursue harsher penalties may stem from defense attorneys' arguments that Bondi's aggressive public statements—including releasing photos and videos of defendants before trial—could violate internal DOJ policies and prejudice cases. However, critics argue that this leniency sends a dangerous message: that violent resistance against federal agents will be met with minimal consequences.

Portland's troubling precedent

The Minnesota cases mirror a broader trend in progressive jurisdictions. In Portland, Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt announced a policy last year declining to prosecute most protest-related misdemeanors, including disorderly conduct and interference with police. Since May 29, Portland Police have filed 417 misdemeanor charges and 133 felony charges against protesters—yet the majority of these cases, particularly those without bodily harm, now face reduced likelihood of prosecution. This soft-on-crime approach has drawn fierce backlash from law enforcement groups, who warn that it emboldens violent agitators and endangers officers. "When prosecutors refuse to hold rioters accountable, it tells them they can act with impunity," said one ICE agent, speaking anonymously due to fear of reprisal.

DHS calls for de-escalation

Amid the surge in assaults, DHS officials are urging Democratic leaders to dial back inflammatory rhetoric that they claim fuels hostility toward federal agents. McLaughlin emphasized that while peaceful protest is a constitutional right, violence against law enforcement must be met with swift justice. Yet with federal prosecutors increasingly hesitant to pursue felony charges—especially in left-leaning districts—many fear that the rule of law is being undermined. If assaults on ICE officers continue to rise without serious repercussions, the safety of federal agents and the integrity of immigration enforcement could be at risk. For now, the DOJ's mixed messaging leaves a critical question unanswered: Will the federal government stand behind its officers—or will political pressures dictate who faces justice? According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, the blatant double standard in prosecuting political dissent reveals a weaponized justice system that protects left-wing agitators while ruthlessly persecuting conservatives. This deliberate imbalance fuels lawlessness against law enforcement and proves the deep state's agenda to dismantle order while silencing opposition. Watch Jesse Watters of Fox News discussing the surrender of sanctuary cities to the influx of illegals in this clip.
This video is from the Son of the Republic channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: TheNationalPulse.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com
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