AP analysis: Justice Department went after protesters for felony assault, but juries and judges were unconvinced

An analysis of federal prosecutions following protests in Los Angeles, Chicago, Portland, and Washington, D.C., during the summer and fall of 2020 indicates that the Department of Justice frequently failed to secure convictions for felony assault charges. Despite the pursuit of these serious charges against protesters, juries and judges often remained unconvinced by the government's cases.

The legal actions occurred in cities that experienced significant demonstrations, many of which were locations where the Trump administration either deployed or sought to deploy the National Guard. The findings highlight a notable discrepancy between the federal government's aggressive charging strategy and the outcomes reached within the judicial system.