The FBI has initiated a criminal investigation after conservative journalist Savannah Hernandez faced an assault from anti-ICE protesters in Minnesota.
Hernandez was attacked while documenting a rally outside the Whipple ICE facility in Minneapolis. While filming, she was surrounded by a group of protesters who confronted her aggressively.
Hernandez recounted the incident on X, stating, “I was just brutally assaulted by multiple people outside of the Whipple ICE facility in Minneapolis. Multiple people swung on me and a grown man pushed me to the ground.” She added, “My glasses are broken. ANTIFA still alive and well. I’m talking with police about pressing charges.”
Video footage captures the moment when several agitators struck Hernandez, highlighting one individual who forcefully knocked her to the ground from behind. “All of this because I was standing outside on a public street filming a protest in the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” she commented.
Hernandez identified a protester named William Kelly, whom she claims incited the crowd against her. He is already facing charges related to a previous incident at a church in St. Paul. She noted, “This is the guy, William Scott Kelly, who incited the mob against me today.” In a follow-up post, she explained how he recognized her during the protest.
This is now the second time I have been mobbed and assaulted for filming a protest on U.S. streets.
Today these Minneapolis protesters were chanting that they were “ANTIFA” and proved it, by mobbing and beating me for reporting on a public protest: pic.twitter.com/EOhyg9AFME
— Savanah Hernandez (@Savsays) April 11, 2026
In light of the assault, Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon responded to Hernandez on X with, “On it.” This has raised expectations of federal action.
Dhillon made a similar statement when Kelly and other activists disrupted a church in January, leading to several arrests shortly after. Following the recent incident, local authorities announced that state charges would be pursued against those involved in the assault.
I’m waking up with a headache and stiff neck this morning due to how violently anti-ICE activist, Chris Ostroushko, shoved me down yesterday.
A second angle shows that he had to be held back by 5 men as he continued to charge at me.
I didn’t speak a word to him all day yet he… pic.twitter.com/LjDx1GMLnF
— Savanah Hernandez (@Savsays) April 12, 2026
