DHS speeds up protest‑charge rules near federal sites
The Trump administration put into effect on Nov. 5 new DHS regulations expanding Federal Protective Service authority to arrest and charge a broader array of offenses on and off federal property, citing a surge in violence. The rules apply to federal facilities nationwide, including those in Minneapolis and St. Paul, and newly address conduct such as obstructing access, wearing a mask while committing a crime, drone use, and tampering with government IT systems; critics warn the changes could be used to target protesters.
📌 Key Facts
- Rules, proposed earlier this year, were accelerated to take effect Nov. 5 instead of Jan. 1, 2026
- FPS authority clarified/expanded to charge offenses both on and near federal property, including masking during crimes, obstruction, drone violations, and IT tampering
- DHS cites recent violence (including a Dallas ICE facility shooting) as justification; a Chicago federal judge separately restricted agents’ use of force in a related case