Treasure Thoreson was still in her pajamas, drinking coffee on her Minneapolis couch, when federal agents arrived at her door this June. Nearly 50 additional people have been indicted on related conspiracy charges in Michigan, Texas and Minnesota. Before this year, the statute's most recent major use was against Jan. 6 defendants — cases that were dropped or pardoned once Trump returned to office. The acting U.S. attorney who initially reviewed the case resigned rather than sign the indictment, later calling the prosecution a dusting-off of "a Civil War-era law" to punish protesters. The Justice Department maintains its priorities are appropriate, stating that "violence against law enforcement or impeding officers performing their duties" should not be confused with peaceful protest.