Federal prosecutors charged 15 Minnesotans with what they described as a conspiracy to violently oppose immigration enforcement during last winter's Operation Metro Surge.

"The conspiracy was not to interfere by their voice, but to do it by force. That's a crime," U.S. Attorney for Minnesota Daniel Rosen said at a press conference yesterday.

Why it matters: The charges represent one of the largest federal prosecutions to emerge from Operation Metro Surge and could become a major test of where authorities draw the line between protest activity and criminal interference with immigration enforcement.

The other side: Protesters outside the federal courthouse called the charges a "naked political attack" by President Trump meant to intimidate lawful anti-ICE protesters, according to Sahan Journal.

• "They charge without sufficient evidence, they have brought cases on false testimony and they've been forced to drop cases already," said Anna Hall, a criminal defense attorney and member of the National Lawyers Guild.
• That protest grew tense and law enforcement eventually deployed chemical irritants, according to the Star Tribune.

What's inside: The indictment says the defendants were part of a group or subgroups of Direct Action Minnesota and used Signal chats to follow agents and interfere with immigration arrests and operations.

Between the lines: Thousands of Minnesotans used encrypted messaging platforms to coordinate highly organized efforts to track agents' movements at the height of the surge, when thousands of officers descended on the state.

• ICE watch trainings emphasized that these "commuters" were only there to record, not to interfere with agents. Many observers heeded this advice.

Yes, but: Yesterday's charges allege these demonstrators went beyond that, including by turning over law enforcement vehicles during a blockade of the Whipple Federal Building.

• Rosen showed an Instagram video by defendant Kyle Wagner after Alex Pretti's killing. He's wearing a bulletproof vest and urges his followers to go to the intersection where Pretti was slain.
• "Get your (expletive) guns and stop these (expletive) people," Wagner said.

Asked if there's any evidence that Wagner or his followers brought weapons to the scene, Rosen said the evidence would "roll out" during the prosecution.

• Rosen also sidestepped questions about whether the defendants physically injured federal agents — but said that bodily harm was "not the measure" of whether they committed a crime.

Reality check: A recent MPR News analysis found that out of 36 people charged with assaulting or impeding agents, the U.S. Attorney's Office has ultimately dropped cases against 18 of them.

More details

Minneapolis isn't alone in facing a bleak budget year.

St. Paul city officials project a $26 million budget gap in 2027, Mayor Kaohly Her has announced.

Why it matters: It's the largest budget gap in St. Paul's recent memory, raising the possibility of service cuts, layoffs or bigger property tax hikes, the Pioneer Press reports.

• "All options are on the table," Her said.

Between the lines: Such gaps are typical at this point in the process — and while this one is large, it's also not completely unprecedented.

• At this time last year, St. Paul was facing a $23 million gap. Officials balanced the budget chiefly through a 5.3% levy hike and by closing vacant positions.

What's next: The mayor will hold the next in a series of community meetings on the budget on Monday at the Sun Ray Library.

Go deeper via the PiPress

🌿 A federal ban on hemp-derived THC products doesn't kick in until November — but Minnesota brewers expect sales to drop off as soon as July or August as retailers, wholesalers and distributors navigate the uncertainty. (MPR News)

📉 Gov. Tim Walz's approval rating fell to 39% — the lowest level of his tenure — in a new statewide poll of likely voters. (Star Tribune)

🌎 The vast majority of deportees detained during Operation Metro Surge were sent to Mexico, Ecuador or another Latin American nation. (Minnesota Reformer)

• Only two went to Somalia — even though the surge supposedly targeted Somalis.

🚔 Minneapolis is falling behind on its court-enforceable police reform plan, according to the independent monitor's latest progress report. (MPR News)

🩺 Fairview Health Services will no longer schedule appointments or services with patients on UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans starting next year. (KARE11)

If Byron Buxton hits a home run and no one is at Target Field to see it, does it make a sound?

State of play: The Twins' centerfielder has already clubbed 23 home runs this year, which puts him on pace to smack about 50 by the end of the season.

• That would break Harmon Killebrew's franchise record of 49, which he achieved in 1964 and 1969.

Yes, but: Much like last summer, Buxton's dazzling season is being wasted by a Twins team that is 35-40 and on track for its lowest attendance in Target Field history.

What we're watching: If this keeps going the way it is, the Twins might be tempted to trade Buxton, who is 32 and has a team-friendly contract through 2028.

• Just about every team in baseball would love to have a power-hitting centerfielder, but Buxton would have to waive the no-trade clause in his contract and leave the only MLB team he's ever played for.

Dinner du Nord organizers have set Sept. 10 as the date for their next mass outdoor meal on Nicollet Mall.

Flashback: Last year, 2,000 diners ate at outdoor tables lining a seven-block stretch.

This year, organizers expect at least two dozen restaurants and food trucks to serve meals.

• Tickets go on sale July 1.

They liked us! The Minnesota Society of Professional Journalists recognized our work with two awards last night.

• The whole crew won first place honors in the "Best Newsletter" contest.
• Audrey's Instagram work earned first place in the "Best Social Media Account" category.

We're grateful for everyone who helps keep this little team on the rails — and that includes you!

And congrats to all of last night's honorees!