DOJ opens probe into group that disrupted Suozzi event over ICE vote

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Justice Department said it is opening an investigation into whether protesters committed federal crimes while disrupting an event held by Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi last week.

The demonstrators — coordinated by the left-wing group Climate Defiance — hurled insults and used crude theatrical props like kneepads and adult diapers to jeer the Glen Cove Democrat over his "yes" vote on a bill that included increased funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Video images of the Jan. 27 protest at Temple Beth Sholom in Roslyn have since drawn millions of online views. The congressman was not harmed by the protesters.

"We will investigate this incident and prosecute any individuals we determine committed a federal crime," said the DOJ’s assistant attorney general for civil rights, Harmeet Dhillon, in a statement provided to Newsday on Tuesday.

"The Civil Rights Division does not tolerate violence or destruction of property motivated by religious animus. And the rise in antisemitism across the country in recent years demonstrates the importance of robust enforcement of our civil rights laws," Dhillon’s statement added.

Regret for vote

Suozzi publicly expressed regret for his vote before the Jan. 27 incident, apologizing less than 48 hours after federal agents shot and killed Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old Veterans Affairs nurse, in Minneapolis.

Suozzi’s office did not immediately comment on the DOJ’s decision to open an investigation, including on whether department officials have contacted the congressman for information about what occurred.

The Climate Defiance group, in a statement, argued that the Suozzi event at the temple was "not a religious service." Instead, the group said it was billed as a community political event where attendees registered and "where a sitting congressman promoted his policy agenda."

"We are aware that DOJ officials have publicly suggested investigating this action. Let us be clear: attempting to criminalize lawful protest at political events — and falsely mischaracterizing such protest as an attack on religious worship — represents a dangerous escalation against First Amendment rights," the group stated.

The group's spokeswoman said its members had not been contacted by Justice Department officials as of Tuesday.

Meanwhile, federal officials continue to arrest and pursue charges in connection with ICE protests last month at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota.

"If you riot in a place of worship, we WILL find you," Attorney General Pam Bondi posted Monday on the social media site X after two more arrests in connection with that protest.

Increased threats

The episode at the Suozzi event on in Roslyn occurred on the same night that a Minnesota Democratic congresswoman, Ilhan Omar, was rushed at while speaking at a public event and sprayed with a substance by a lone demonstrator.

And a man was arrested late last month for allegedly punching Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.) during the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, after the man told Frost that President Donald Trump was going to deport him.

Other recent public events held by members of Congress also have gotten rowdy. But not all of those necessarily have direct ties to Trump’s stepped-up immigration crackdowns in Minnesota and elsewhere.

This past weekend in New York’s lower Hudson Valley, Rep. Mike Lawler (R-Pearl River) was heckled at a town hall, and reports said uniformed officers removed a man from the event as other audience members chanted, "Let him stay!" and "Shame!"

U.S. Capitol Police last week released numbers showing that threats on members of Congress climbed in 2025 for the third year in a row. Threats investigated last year against members, their families and staff — including "concerning statements, behaviors and direct communications" — increased to 14,938 from 9,474 in 2024, and from 8,808 in 2023, the release stated.

In the wake of the assassination last year of political activist Charlie Kirk, members of Congress were given increases to their personal security allotments.

But many members of Congress still shy away from holding many in-person events, often choosing instead to hold remote town halls and other online gatherings. But that will be a more difficult during this midterm campaign year.