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Trait: Surveillance of ordinary citizens increases; elite crimes remain opaque ×
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Aug 13, 2026 DHS ran an undercover operation infiltrating and surveilling progressive organizations and labor unions after a killing by federal agents Tier 1 · Primary Civil Rights and Dissent
Sweeping surveillance and prosecution of peaceful protest organizers and unions not linked to crime chills lawful dissent and First Amendment activity.
Independently corroborated by4 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- DHS investigated left-wing groups after Alex Pretti's killing — The New York Times reported that the Department of Homeland Security quietly launched an investigation into several left-leaning political organizations in the wake of Alex Pretti's killing by federal immigration agents. The probe targeted many groups and individuals not connected to any criminal activity and involved expansive surveillance efforts, including infiltrating Signal group chats and obtaining financial records of organizations.
- Mayor Ginther ordered Columbus police to restrict Flock data sharing — Following an audit revealing 15,577 searches of Columbus's Flock network potentially related to immigration enforcement, Mayor Andrew Ginther issued an order directing Columbus police to stop statewide sharing of the city's Flock license plate data. Police had already restricted broader nationwide sharing. The order came after council members and residents questioned the use of the surveillance technology and its connection to federal immigration enforcement operations.
- Federal operation "Operation Puppet Master" targeted progressive organizations and anti-ICE activists — Court documents filed on Thursday reveal a federal operation called "Operation Puppet Master" that targeted progressive organizations, labor unions, and groups protesting the immigration crackdown in Minnesota. The Justice Department charged 15 defendants in June with crimes including conspiracy to impede federal officers, assault, threats, stalking, and destruction of government property. DHS officers entered meetings in churches, schools, and parks while working undercover, monitored activist chat groups, and used license plate numbers to identify people who attended gatherings. A DHS page titled "The Conspiracy" listed 18 organizations ranging from a Minneapolis bicycle repair collective to the AFL-CIO. At a January 31 meeting in Minneapolis, an undercover DHS officer listened as Sunrise Movement supporters discussed sit-ins, de-escalation, safety marshals, and police liaisons at events; the officer's report noted the group focused on peaceful protests.
- Columbus city council held six-hour hearing on Flock camera surveillance and immigration enforcement — Columbus residents and city officials spent approximately six hours on Monday debating the city's use of Flock Safety cameras. Council members questioned Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant and public safety officials about privacy, data sharing, and whether the city should continue using the technology. A recent audit found the Columbus Flock network had been searched 15,577 times for reasons potentially involving immigration enforcement, including searches by DHS, U.S. Border Patrol, and law enforcement participating in ICE's 287g program. Following the audit, Mayor Andrew Ginther ordered Columbus police to stop statewide sharing of Flock data.
- Flock Safety announced policy changes to address surveillance concerns — After months of backlash, Flock Safety announced new changes to its license plate reader policies. The company will reduce its standard data retention period from 30 days to 7 days, require law enforcement to use an auditing feature to identify abnormal searches, and require officers to connect searches to case codes from their records management systems. Flock will also give cities and police departments more control over the types of investigations outside agencies can conduct using the data, allowing jurisdictions to block outside searches tied to immigration enforcement. More than 50 agencies or jurisdictions have canceled, suspended, rejected, or deactivated Flock systems since the beginning of 2026.
Attacks
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 82 – 2026-08-08–2026-08-14
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