EXCLUSIVE: Local prosecutors around U.S. join forces to charge law-breaking federal agents
“We’ve had enough,” say District Attorneys, as they launch the "FAFO" coalition to combat federal overreach.
A group of locally elected prosecutors from across the United States announced Wednesday the formation of a new national coalition aimed at holding federal law enforcement officers criminally accountable when they violate state laws. The news comes amid the swirling controversy around the Trump administration’s recent actions in Minnesota, including the deaths of two U.S. citizens.
The initiative, called the Project for the Fight Against Federal Overreach — already dubbed “FAFO”— brings together district attorneys from major jurisdictions including Philadelphia, Minneapolis, Austin, Dallas, Northern Virginia, and Pima County, Arizona. News of the effort broke last night in The New York Times. Participants say the project is a response to what they describe as a growing pattern of unlawful conduct by federal agents operating in their communities.
The coalition plans to share legal strategies, coordinate accountability measures, and provide public updates when federal officials are found to have exceeded their authority, according to the press release. A virtual press conference will be held today at 11 a.m. ET; journalists and members of the public can register online to attend.
“No agency and no officer is above the law,” said Larry Krasner, the district attorney of Philadelphia and one of the group’s founding members. “When federal agents exceed their lawful authority, local prosecutors have both the power and the duty to act.”
The project’s creation follows mounting legal findings against federal enforcement operations. In recent months, courts in multiple jurisdictions have ruled that immigration authorities carried out thousands of unlawful detentions, adding to broader concerns about warrantless entries, excessive force, and other constitutional violations alleged in federal operations.
The idea for a coordinated prosecutors’ alliance emerged publicly just one week ago during an appearance by Krasner on the news program DEFIANCE Daily, where he noted at the end of his interview that no formal nationwide network existed to help local prosecutors share best practices for responding to federal misconduct. That conversation triggered a series of behind-the-scenes discussions among district attorneys that led to Wednesday’s launch.
While the coalition is led by elected prosecutors, initial administrative and communications support is being provided by DEFIANCE.org, other nonpartisan groups, and ordinary Americans around the country who decide to support the project by going to FederalOverreach.org.
The prosecutors plan to announce today that they expect to convene as soon as next week in Washington, D.C., to discuss next steps — and ways to take near-term action to rein in lawlessness from the Executive Branch. Legal experts note that while DHS officials and other federal agents often operate under federal authority, they can still be subject to state criminal statutes in cases involving assault, homicide, unlawful imprisonment, or other alleged violations.
Local prosecutors have rarely brought charges against federal agents, in part because of legal complexity and jurisdictional sensitivities. Members of the new coalition say that era of hesitation is ending.
“The rule of law depends on accountability,” said Mary Moriarty, the district attorney of Hennepin County, Minnesota, which includes Minneapolis. “When people believe that law enforcement faces no consequences, trust in the justice system erodes.”
The coalition’s formation marks one of the most organized efforts to date by local prosecutors to collectively challenge federal law enforcement conduct. For more information, visit www.FederalOverreach.org.
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P.S. WHAT’S HAPPENING ON DEFIANCE.NEWS
Here’s what’s coming up.
TOMORROW // Weekly Mission Brief // 5p ET - We will have Philly DA Larry Krasner back on the program tonight to talk about today’s announcement, as well as Ezra Levin (co-founder, Indivisible) to announce the date of the next major NO KINGS protext. Watch LIVE on our DEFIANCE.News page, on our YouTube channel, or on my X account.
FRIDAY // Weekly Coffee // 2p ET - Join us for another Weekly Coffee, where you can ask questions about anything! Members-only chat. Join us LIVE on our DEFIANCE.News page, or watch the replay.
REMINDER — If you haven’t yet, get your in-person or virtual tickets to the STATE OF THE SWAMP: THE REBUTTAL TO THE STATE OF THE UNION, scheduled for February 24. This will be one of the most powerful pro-democracy events of the year.
I knew you'd organize something like this. I KNEW it. And that's why I support you 💯. Thank you for everything you're doing & have done. YOU are making a difference & I'm grateful.
Wonderful! Thank you Miles! This is exciting and encouraging news! Love the name Project For Fight Against Federal Overreach (FAFO)! Look forward to hearing more.