Attorneys allege ICE ran surveillance targeting left-wing social movements

The short version

• Attorneys for 15 Minnesota residents facing federal conspiracy charges say they obtained evidence of an ICE spying operation against left-wing movements.[Wired]
• The investigations reportedly run under names including Project Whipple Shield and Operation Puppet Master, authorized by National Security Presidential Memorandum 7.[Wired]
• Operation Keyhole, an HSI undercover program dating to 2008, funded six active investigations as of June 2026.[Wired]
• Defense attorneys allege a broader nationwide operation, a claim that remains unverified and uncorroborated by other outlets.[Wired]

Key facts

• Attorneys for 15 Minnesota residents facing federal conspiracy charges say they obtained evidence of an ICE spying operation against left-wing social movements.[Wired]
• The investigations run under the names Project Whipple Shield and Operation Puppet Master and are authorized by National Security Presidential Memorandum 7.[Wired]
• Operation Keyhole, an HSI undercover program that bankrolled the Minnesota 15 prosecution, dates back to 2008.[Wired]
• As of June 2026, Operation Keyhole funded six active investigations, including Project Whipple Shield.[Wired]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• ICE Is Running One of the Largest Anti-Left Surveillance Operations in US HistoryWired metered