Analysis: As DOJ went after protesters for felony assault, juries and judges were unconvinced

The U.S. Justice Department has experienced significant difficulty securing felony convictions against individuals arrested for assaulting federal authorities during protests in four major cities. Out of 102 protesters arrested since last year, the majority of the cases have not resulted in felony convictions.

Legal proceedings brought by the Justice Department have largely fallen short of initial expectations, with many of the prosecutions ultimately leading to acquittals or reduced charges rather than the targeted felony convictions.