Justice Department’s Tough Stance on Protesters Faces Legal Challenges

Thu Dec 18 2025 12:36:47 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Amid ongoing protests against immigration policies, the DOJ's efforts to prosecute demonstrators have met with significant setbacks in court.

The U.S. Justice Department is actively prosecuting individuals accused of assaulting federal officials during protests against President Trump's immigration policies. However, an analysis reveals that many charges are being downgraded or dismissed due to lack of evidence and minor injuries. The DOJ's aggressive stance has failed in trials, raising questions about the government's approach to handling demonstrators. Experts express concern over the implications of such prosecutions on public protest rights.

WASHINGTON — The Justice Department (DOJ) is currently working to prosecute individuals accused of violence against federal officers during protests over President Trump’s immigration policy. Attorney General Pam Bondi has pledged that offenders will face severe consequences, yet numerous cases are not holding up in court.

According to an Associated Press analysis of 166 federal prosecutions stemming from protests in several Democratic-led cities, many aggressive charges have either been reduced to misdemeanors or dismissed entirely. The analysis highlights that videos and testimonies often undermined initial allegations.

In a striking example, almost 55 out of 100 felony charges against protesters were reduced to lesser charges, evidence suggesting that some arrests were made with questionable justification. Mary McCord, a former federal prosecutor, emphasized that such actions appear aimed at deterring public protests against governmental policies.

Prosecutors have faced challenges in securing convictions, losing every trial they brought forth despite their aggressive approach. The highest-profile case involved a man acquitted after throwing a sandwich at a federal agent, illustrating the difficulties faced by the DOJ.

Despite the tough rhetoric regarding designated groups like 'antifa', federal court records show little evidence directly linking protesters to organized efforts against law enforcement. This situation raises concerns regarding the treatment of demonstrators and the balance between enforcing the law and protecting free speech rights.

It remains to be seen how the DOJ will navigate the legal landscape as more than 50 cases are still pending, revealing broader societal implications regarding how protests are managed in the United States.