WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department has initiated a lengthy effort to prosecute individuals accused of assaulting or obstructing federal officers while protesting President Donald Trump’s immigration policies and military deployments. Attorney General Pam Bondi has asserted that such offenders will face 'severe consequences.' However, an analysis by the Associated Press reveals significant difficulties in fulfilling this promise. A review of 166 federal criminal cases initiated since May in four major Democratic-led cities showed that aggressive charges often fail to hold up in court.
Mary McCord, a former federal prosecutor and director of Georgetown University Law Center’s Institute for Constitutional Advocacy, commented on the aggressive charging decisions, noting that they may be intended to suppress dissent against the administration's deportation strategies. The analysis highlighted that of 100 individuals charged with felony assaults on federal agents, 55 had their charges downgraded to misdemeanors or were dismissed entirely, often due to lack of evidence of serious injuries.
High-profile cases illustrate this trend, such as that of Dana Briggs, a 70-year-old Air Force veteran, whose misdemeanor assault charge was dropped when video showed federal agents knocking him down. Similarly, Lucy Shepherd’s felony assault charge was dismissed after lawyers presented evidence showing she merely brushed against an officer.
Despite claims from the administration linking protesters to 'antifa,' the term was rarely used in court proceedings, and no case has officially designated any protest participant as a domestic terrorist. Experts noted the Justice Department's surprising losses in every misdemeanor trial it has pursued, raising questions about resource allocation and legal strategy.
Ongoing cases are still in the pipeline, with 58 individuals currently facing felony indictments related to various forms of assault against federal officers. However, to date, no trial outcomes have emerged from these pending cases.
Mary McCord, a former federal prosecutor and director of Georgetown University Law Center’s Institute for Constitutional Advocacy, commented on the aggressive charging decisions, noting that they may be intended to suppress dissent against the administration's deportation strategies. The analysis highlighted that of 100 individuals charged with felony assaults on federal agents, 55 had their charges downgraded to misdemeanors or were dismissed entirely, often due to lack of evidence of serious injuries.
High-profile cases illustrate this trend, such as that of Dana Briggs, a 70-year-old Air Force veteran, whose misdemeanor assault charge was dropped when video showed federal agents knocking him down. Similarly, Lucy Shepherd’s felony assault charge was dismissed after lawyers presented evidence showing she merely brushed against an officer.
Despite claims from the administration linking protesters to 'antifa,' the term was rarely used in court proceedings, and no case has officially designated any protest participant as a domestic terrorist. Experts noted the Justice Department's surprising losses in every misdemeanor trial it has pursued, raising questions about resource allocation and legal strategy.
Ongoing cases are still in the pipeline, with 58 individuals currently facing felony indictments related to various forms of assault against federal officers. However, to date, no trial outcomes have emerged from these pending cases.
