New details are emerging about the anti-ICE Signal chat groups infiltrated in Minnesota by independent journalist Cam Higby, and what they reveal is not random protest but a highly organized operation. Between the structure of the groups, their donor lists, and the location where Alex Pretti obstructed federal officers, the picture is becoming clearer: this was a coordinated effort involving activists, alleged journalists, and even elected officials. So much for “spontaneous outrage.”
The chat networks were geographically organized, divided by Minneapolis City Council districts and extending into St. Paul, Bloomington, and nearby suburbs. New chats were created daily and the previous day’s chats were deleted. With Signal’s encryption and “no screenshots” feature enabled, recovering deleted messages would be nearly impossible unless participants recorded them in real time — which is exactly how Higby captured the material.
On Sunday evening, Data Republican released a spreadsheet identifying more than 4,000 donors to the effort and their possible identities, making it publicly available. She also provided a non-redacted version to the FBI and other federal authorities. Transparency tends to make people nervous when they weren’t expecting it.
The first recorded donation came from Jonny Soppotiuk, a Canadian who helps operate the crowdfunding platform Chuffed, which hosted the fundraiser. Yes, foreign involvement — because nothing says “local protest” like international funding.
Even more striking are the names tied to the operation. As Streiff wrote, “It is obvious that a non-trivial number of judges and elected officials are affiliated with the current insurrection.” That’s not exactly the disclaimer you want attached to public office.
Alex Pretti, who was killed Saturday, was confirmed by a neighbor to be part of the group. Renee Good was also a member. Their involvement places both deaths directly within this organized network, not outside of it.
What began as “protest” is now looking more like coordinated resistance, complete with foreign donors, daily encrypted communications, and political figures embedded in the structure. The good news is that the truth is coming out, and with federal authorities now receiving hard data, accountability is finally within reach. Sunlight has a funny way of restoring order — and that’s a positive sign for the rule of law and the country moving forward.
