Video: Trump admin investigating anti-ICE Signal chat networks in Minnesota

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel confirmed on Monday that President Donald Trump’s administration is investigating anti-U.S. Customs Enforcement (ICE) Signal chat networks in Minnesota.

Over the past several days, Cam Higby, an independent journalist, has exposed hundreds of individuals for participating in anti-ICE Signal group chats in Minnesota. In a statement on X, formerly Twitter, Higby wrote, “I have infiltrated organizational signal groups all around Minneapolis with the sole intention of tracking down federal agents and impeding/assaulting/and obstructing them.”

During an interview with conservative commentator Benny Johnson on Monday, Patel announced that the FBI was investigating the Signal chat networks across the state. 

“We look at all this stuff,” Patel said. “As soon as Higby put that post out, I opened an investigation on it.”

“We immediately opened up that investigation because that sort of Signal chat being coordinated with individuals not just 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,” the FBI director added. “You cannot create a scenario that illegally entraps and puts law enforcement in harm’s way.”

Asked whether anti-ICE activists should be concerned that they may be investigated following Higby’s revelation on social media, Patel told Johnson, “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.” 

Patel also emphasized that the FBI is going to “protect law enforcement” and ensure that law enforcement officials are safe while carrying out their responsibilities. However, he also stressed that the Trump administration will also work to ensure that the American people have the “ultimate protection” guaranteed under the First and Second Amendments.

“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,” Patel said. “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."