FBI investigates anti-ICE Signal chat network in Minnesota

( Post Millennial )

FBI Director Kash Patel has opened up an investigation into anti-ICE Signal chat networks in Minnesota after a report on the chats was published by independent journalist Cam Higby. 

“We look at all this stuff. As soon as Higby put that post out I opened an investigation on it," Patel said of the chats while speaking to Benny Johnson. 

“That sort of Signal chat being coordinated with individuals locally in Minnesota, but maybe even around the country. If that leads to a break in the federal statute or a violation of some law, we are going to arrest people," he later added. 

Patel, when he was asked about the chats being exposed and anti-ICE activists being worried about the prospect of investigation, said, "They should be. If they broke the law, you should be worried. It's that simple, if you didn't break the law, there's really nothing to worry about on that front." 

"And so, you know, we're going to continue. As I've said from day one, we will protect law enforcement. We will make sure they have the security and safety to do their jobs. We will also ensure that civilians have the ultimate protection of the First and Second Amendment. But it is my job to adjudicate the difference when there is a breaking of federal statute or state law in the furtherance of a crime or violence against law enforcement officers, and that's when we step in." 

Over the weekend, Higby published a thread of a reported anti-ICE Signal chat, which detailed the roles that different anti-ICE agitators fulfil in order to identify, monitor, and impede immigration enforcement.  

Some reports online also indicated that some officials in the Minnesota government were also involved in the Signal chats.