In Spokane, an ongoing federal trial is raising questions about the Trump administration’s legal strategy regarding political protesters.

Three people are charged with conspiracy to impede or injure federal officers during an anti-ICE protest last June. 

They were part of a demonstration that was trying to stop ICE agents from moving two Venezuelan immigrants from the ICE office in Spokane to the Tacoma Northwest Detention Center.

If convicted, each of the three could face up to six years in federal prison. It’s a test case for the use of conspiracy charges against protestors. The Trump administration has used the tactic several times recently in prosecutions of anti-ICE protestors. 


Guest

Erin Sellers, reporter at RANGE Media, a media organization covering the Inland Northwest

Related Links

All of RANGE Media's trial coverage - Erin Sellers, 

Conspiracy Trial Will Test Trump’s Aggressive Tactics Against Protesters - Anna Griffin, The New York Times

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In Spokane, an ongoing federal trial is raising questions about the Trump administration&rsquo;s legal strategy regarding political protesters.
Three people are charged with conspiracy to impede or injure federal officers during an anti-ICE protest last June.&nbsp;
They were part of a demonstration that was trying to stop ICE agents from moving two Venezuelan immigrants from the ICE office in Spokane to the Tacoma Northwest Detention Center.
If convicted, each of the three could face up to six years in federal prison. It&rsquo;s a test case for the use of conspiracy charges against protestors. The Trump administration has used the tactic several times recently in prosecutions of anti-ICE protestors.&nbsp;
 Guest
Erin Sellers, <a href="https://www.rangemedia.co/about/">reporter at RANGE Media,</a> a media organization covering the Inland Northwest Related Links
<a href="https://www.rangemedia.co/spokane-9-protests/">All of RANGE Media's trial coverage</a> - Erin Sellers,&nbsp; <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/17/us/a-federal-case-will-test-if-protesters-are-conspirators.html">Conspiracy Trial Will Test Trump&rsquo;s Aggressive Tactics Against Protesters</a> - Anna Griffin, The New York Times Right now, we're asking for listeners to give us a full review of the show. Fill out our survey! We want to know what you want to hear, so share your thoughts with us at <a href="http://kuow.org/feedback">kuow.org/feedback</a>. Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to <a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.
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If convicted, each of the three could face up to six years in federal prison. 