WASHINGTON — A months-long initiative by the Justice Department to prosecute those accused of assaulting federal officers during protests against President Donald Trump's immigration policies is facing scrutiny following an analysis by the Associated Press. Attorney General Pam Bondi pledged that violators would face 'severe consequences,' yet the data suggests the department has struggled to meet these expectations.
The AP's comprehensive review of 166 criminal prosecutions in four Democratic-run cities highlighted a trend — many aggressive charges against protesters have resulted in diminished outcomes. Notably, half of the initial felony assault charges filed against participants in these protests were either downgraded to misdemeanors or dismissed altogether. The study indicated that some allegations did not hold up against evidence from videos and testimonies, raising questions about the severity of offenses. Mary McCord, former federal prosecutor, noted, 'They appear to want to chill people from protesting against the administration’s mass deportation plans.'
The analysis further revealed that while the administration labeled many protesters as part of the 'antifa' movement — a term used to describe far-left demonstrators — only a few mentions appeared in court records, and no formal charges of domestic terrorism were levied against them. Despite these challenges, the DOJ has vowed to continue pursuing the most severe charges against individuals alleged to harm federal agents, asserting, 'We will not tolerate any violence directed toward our brave law enforcement officials.'
Experts expressed surprise at the recent trial outcomes, where the DOJ lost all five misdemeanor cases, an outcome viewed as unexpected for such an influential body. As of the latest reports, over 50 cases remain pending, causing concern about the ongoing effects of prosecutorial strategies on civic engagement and protest rights.
The AP's comprehensive review of 166 criminal prosecutions in four Democratic-run cities highlighted a trend — many aggressive charges against protesters have resulted in diminished outcomes. Notably, half of the initial felony assault charges filed against participants in these protests were either downgraded to misdemeanors or dismissed altogether. The study indicated that some allegations did not hold up against evidence from videos and testimonies, raising questions about the severity of offenses. Mary McCord, former federal prosecutor, noted, 'They appear to want to chill people from protesting against the administration’s mass deportation plans.'
The analysis further revealed that while the administration labeled many protesters as part of the 'antifa' movement — a term used to describe far-left demonstrators — only a few mentions appeared in court records, and no formal charges of domestic terrorism were levied against them. Despite these challenges, the DOJ has vowed to continue pursuing the most severe charges against individuals alleged to harm federal agents, asserting, 'We will not tolerate any violence directed toward our brave law enforcement officials.'
Experts expressed surprise at the recent trial outcomes, where the DOJ lost all five misdemeanor cases, an outcome viewed as unexpected for such an influential body. As of the latest reports, over 50 cases remain pending, causing concern about the ongoing effects of prosecutorial strategies on civic engagement and protest rights.
