Dont ComplyThe Intercept reports, citing a subpoena it obtained, that the national American Federation of Teachers received a federal grand jury subpoena in August in an investigation into pro-Palestine protests at the University of Michigan, where twelve activists face felony charges. The Graduate Employees' Organization, an AFT local, received a similar notice. According to the outlet, the subpoenas seek membership rolls, officer payroll records, reimbursement policies, audit reports and meeting minutes since January 2023. The Intercept says they were requested by federal prosecutor Margaret Smith with help from FBI agent Kara Phipps. GEO filed a motion to quash. The Department of Justice declined to comment, and AFT did not respond to requests for comment. GEO officials called the effort an attack on labor and dissent.
Why it matters
The reported subpoenas seek broad records from a union with more than 1.7 million members in a case centered on vandalism charges, raising questions about the scope of grand jury power and its effect on labor organizing and protest activity.
These are unproven claims, and everyone named is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Researched with AI assistance from the sources listed here and reviewed under our methodology.