ICE Protesters Sue Benny Johnson for Defamation Over False ‘Terrorist’ Claims

Two protesters who were detained during a 2025 ICE demonstration in Broadview, Illinois, have filed a defamation lawsuit against right-wing commentator Benny Johnson. The suit alleges Johnson knowingly spread false claims branding peaceful protesters as “left-wing terrorists,” causing significant harm to their reputations.

Events at Broadview ICE Facility Protest

On October 3, 2025, Benny Johnson accompanied top Homeland Security officials to an ICE facility in Broadview, Illinois, where a crowd had gathered within a designated “free speech” zone. Johnson filmed as ICE agents broke up the protest, physically pushing and striking attendees until they fell to the ground.

Johnson posted videos across multiple social media platforms including X, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and Rumble. His narration framed the protesters as violent actors, describing them as “left-wing terrorists” who were “arrested for attacking police officers and ICE officers.” However, these claims were disputed by the protesters involved.

The Plaintiffs and Their Claims

Two protesters from that day, Harvard data scientist Kyle Frankovich and contracted court reporter Maureen Foody, jointly filed a lawsuit against Johnson. The complaint states that Johnson was aware his portrayal was false but proceeded regardless. According to the suit, Frankovich and Foody simply “sang songs, participated in prayers, held signs, and recorded official activity.” Neither was charged with any crime.

Both were detained for approximately eight hours before being released about half a mile from the jail. Despite their peaceful conduct, Johnson’s videos depicted them as violent offenders without evidence.

Impact of Johnson’s Posts and Public Response

Johnson’s videos have amassed millions of views and interactions, providing him a platform to monetize a false narrative. One post, in which Johnson claimed to witness “dozens of Democrat domestic terrorists arrested today for VIOLENT ASSAULT on federal law enforcement,” was viewed 1.7 million times.

Frankovich told MS NOW he was “shaken” by the posts and the hostile comments from Johnson’s followers, which included attempts to dox him and calls to torture, shoot, and kill the protesters. Additionally, a DHS social media post altered an image of Frankovich’s tattooed arms and zip-tied hands into a recruitment poster, portraying him as a criminal.

Frankovich expressed his frustration directly: “You shouldn’t get to lie about me.”

Background on Benny Johnson

Benny Johnson, formerly a BuzzFeed writer, was fired in 2014 for plagiarizing multiple blog posts. Since then, he has built a reputation as a right-wing commentator and supporter of President Donald Trump. His coverage of the ICE protest fits a pattern of inflammatory rhetoric aimed at activists opposing current federal policies.

The lawsuit marks a significant challenge to Johnson’s approach and highlights the consequences of spreading misinformation about peaceful demonstrators.

The legal battle between Johnson and the two protesters underscores ongoing tensions surrounding immigration enforcement protests and the role of media figures in framing public perception.