James O’Keefe is calling on fellow journalists to join him at a Minneapolis courthouse when he makes his first appearance on felony charges stemming from an undercover investigation at Minnesota polling places.
“IT BEGINS: I just received summons today to appear in criminal court in Minneapolis on November 16th,” O’Keefe wrote on X last week. “I’m calling on all journalists to appear in solidarity with the 1st amendment.”
IT BEGINS: I just received summons today to appear in criminal court in Minneapolis on November 16th.
I’m calling on all journalists to appear in solidarity with the 1st amendment. https://t.co/nAV5bADefx pic.twitter.com/rbv0IAZV8Q
— James O'Keefe (@JamesOKeefeIII) November 5, 2026
O’Keefe posted another message Saturday after receiving the complaint and summons in the mail.
“Once again I’m calling on all journalists to take a stance for the 1st amendment,” he wrote. “If they can put me in jail for asking questions, they will do it to you.”
The summons directs O’Keefe to appear for his first court appearance at 2 p.m. Nov. 16 at the Hennepin County Public Safety Facility (courtroom #143) in Minneapolis.
The case stems from an undercover investigation O’Keefe conducted with journalist Cam Higby during Minnesota’s August primary election. The two visited Minneapolis polling places while examining the state’s voter-vouching system, which allows a registered voter in the same precinct to attest to another person’s residence for same-day registration. Alpha News previously reported on the video after it was released in August.
Hennepin County prosecutors later charged both men with felony unlawful voting and identity theft, alleging they gave election judges the names of registered voters without those voters’ knowledge or permission while applying for ballots.
O’Keefe has characterized the prosecution as a First Amendment issue.
“This is not political. It is fundamental. It is about whether citizens still have the right to question their government,” O’Keefe said after the charges were announced.
“This is now a landmark First Amendment case, and every American’s right to speak truth to power has been put on the line,” he added.
James O’Keefe on the Felony Charges for Exposing Fraud in Minnesota:
This is not political. It is fundamental. It is about whether citizens still have the right to question their government. This is now a landmark First Amendment case, and every American’s right to speak truth… pic.twitter.com/vBbkaW0Rk4
— James O'Keefe (@JamesOKeefeIII) October 29, 2026
Left-wing Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said when the charges were announced that “individuals engaging in unlawful conduct related to our elections will be held accountable.”
The U.S. Department of Justice is also reviewing the case. A DOJ spokesperson told the Daily Caller that the department is reviewing “the police report, video, and other available material” and is “concerned about intimidation related to First Amendment activity.”
The criminal complaint lists each charge as a felony carrying a maximum potential sentence of five years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine.
Symone Harms
Symone Harms is a Media Production and Business Marketing student at Bethel University. She is actively involved in The Royals Investment Fund, The 25, theatre, and other leadership positions. She also cohosts Rooted, a podcast dedicated to being rooted in truth, growing in freedom, and prospering in life. A Minnesota native with a passion for storytelling and digital media, she aspires to a career in broadcasting as a news anchor and reporter.
