A systematic organization behind riots in Minnesota exposed through leaked group chats is under investigation, says FBI Director Kash Patel.
Patel said the FBI is investigating what is legal and illegal in the protests. He added that he was also made aware of reporting done by Cam Higby, a self-described “independent investigative journalist and political commentator” according to his website.
Higby says he infiltrated the encrypted Signal group chats used by those rioting.
“We look at all this stuff,” Patel said. “As soon as Higby put that post out, I opened an investigation on it. We immediately opened up that investigation because that sort of Signal chat, being coordinated with individuals not just locally in Minnesota – but maybe even around the country – if that leads to a break in the federal statute or a violation of some law, then we are going to arrest people.”
Reports on the ground and from the Signal chats say protestors are well-organized, have means of communication they are using to coordinate tracking of federal law enforcement, and even have a database they are using to input license plate numbers and dox agents.
Patel said that, while peaceful protesting is legal, that would not be permitted.
“You cannot create a scenario that illegally traps and puts law enforcement in harm’s way,” Patel said. “We have to let the community know that we will not tolerate acts of violence.”