This claim is true because multiple reports based on newly released government documents describe an expansive Trump administration surveillance and investigative operation targeting left-leaning groups, unions, protesters, and their communications in Minnesota.
True
Trump admin conducted mass surveillance of leftwing groups in Minnesota
US conducted ‘mass spying campaign’ against leftwing groups and anti-ICE protesters, records reveal - Trump administration | The Guardian
Source: theguardian.com
At a glance
Verified August 14, 2026Key Evidence
The New York Times reported that the government infiltrated group chats and obtained financial records from organizations that had not been accused of crimes.
The Guardian, NOTUS, the Hartford Courant, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and other outlets independently described documents showing federal surveillance of progressive groups, unions, and protesters during the Minnesota immigration crackdown.
The evidence concerns actions during President Donald Trump's current presidency in 2026, rather than an earlier Trump administration.
The reporting
What the Evidence Shows
The available evidence supports the claim within its stated scope. Reports published on August 13 and 14, 2026 describe actions by Homeland Security and other federal officials during the Trump administration's immigration crackdown in Minnesota earlier in 2026.
The reported surveillance included:
- Monitoring encrypted or activist group chats.
- Secretly attending or infiltrating meetings at locations including libraries and churches.
- Investigating funding sources and obtaining financial records from organizations, including labor unions and climate groups.
- Examining alleged connections among approximately 18 left-leaning organizations and protesters.
The New York Times, whose reporting was cited or summarized by several other outlets, characterized the operation as expansive and said that organizations not accused of crimes were subjected to surveillance and financial inquiries. The Guardian reported that nearly 30 internal law-enforcement reports were released in connection with a criminal case against 15 Minneapolis protesters. NOTUS, the Hartford Courant, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and The Latin Times also described the documents as showing surveillance or investigations of progressive organizations and protesters.
There is important context about the wording. The sources establish that federal officials investigated and surveilled left-leaning groups and protesters, but they do not necessarily establish that every targeted organization was formally designated as a criminal group or that all of the activity was unlawful. The Guardian opinion article also noted that none of the groups under investigation had been criminally charged, while prosecutors reportedly presented a conspiracy theory involving 18 groups to a grand jury. Therefore, the claim is supported as a description of the reported government operation, not as a finding that the groups committed crimes or that a court has determined the surveillance violated the law.
Primary trail
Verified Sources10
Open source