Minneapolis anti-ICE protesters back in court

More than a dozen anti-ICE protesters are expected in court today. It's all part of the Trump administration's crackdown on what it is calling anti-government groups. Our Bill Keller joins us live. He's at the federal courthouse in Minneapolis with more on this closely watched case. Bill, good morning. Good morning. Well, during the peak of Operation Metro Surge, tens of thousands of Minnesotans, we saw them demonstrating peacefully against the federal government's immigration crackdown. But the Department of Justice has also charged members of a far-left group with conspiracy to commit political violence, calling their actions un-American. Earlier this year, a grand jury handed down an eight-count sweeping indictment charging 15 people with a variety of crimes, including conspiracy to impede a federal officer, interstate stalking and interstate threats, solicitation to commit a crime of violence, multiple counts of assault on a federal officer, and destruction of government property. According to the Department of Justice, those charged include members of so-called anti-ICE groups, including Direct Action Minnesota. They are accused of infiltrating peaceful protests with the intent of turning the crowd violent. Protesters are described as their actions as being really an unrelenting campaign of harassment and violence In announcing the charges back in June, the Secretary of Homeland Security said, The arrest of these rioters is a win for law and order. If you lay a hand on law enforcement, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. They go on to say that we have zero tolerance for violence against our law enforcement. If you assault or obstruct law enforcement, you will face the consequences. Now this afternoon, those who have been charged are due in court for a hearing. All have pled not guilty and were released without bond. Now the judge has to consider a number of motions, including what evidence could be used at trial. Back to you guys. All right, Bill Keller, for us there downtown. Thank you.