'Chilling': FBI shocks with visits to homes of innocent protesters under Trump's orders

[cbabe]

https://www.rawstory.com/fbi-protest/

'Chilling': FBI shocks with visits to homes of innocent protesters under Trump's orders

David Edwards
October 23, 2025 3:48PM ET

…

In one case, special needs teacher Miles Serafini, 26, told independent journalist Ken Klippenstein that agents visited his home after he participated in a June protest at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in Arizona. The two agents, who only identified themselves as "James" and "Keith", were recorded on Serafini's security camera.

…

Serafini said the agents that visited his home "were trying to figure out the shadowy entity behind the protest."

"What a waste of their time to go after s—t that doesn't exist," he added. "And they kept drilling me on the fact that I showed up alone, [that I didn't] remember where I saw the flyer, and didn't know anybody there. They told me that's unusual and pretty suspicious — as if I was holding back information about whoever organized the protest. They kept insinuating that I was lying to them."

Before leaving, the agents told Serafini that it might not be the last time they saw him. The warning left him concerned enough that he decided not to attend the recent No Kings protests.

"That is exactly the chilling effect on speech that the FBI investigating political matters risks creating," Klippenstein noted.

//

[ret5hd]

1. 1: ask for a JUDICIAL WARRANT

2: no warrant…get the fuck off my property. NOW!

3: judicial warrant…invoke your right to a lawyer and MOST importantly, invoke your right to remain silent

these are so basic and people never seem to remember them.

[flashman13]

21. Simple rule: You are under no obligation to give these people so much as the time of day.

[Klarkashton]

2. His first mistake was even talking to them without

A lawyer.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

3. Five words. Say it through your camera: GET OFF MY FUCKING STOOP.

[pecosbob]

4. Two phrases to always remember...

I will be happy to answer any questions you have with an attorney present.

Am I being detained?

[ret5hd]

5. very true, but...

it is MUCH more satisfying to say it the way i phrased it. trust me.

[struggle4progress]

6. "It's DISGUST at the Russian mole tearing down the White House"

[MarineCombatEngineer]

7. If I were the target of an FBI "interview" and they showed up at my door, my first question would be:

"Do you have a warrant to be on my property"?
When they answer no, my next statement would be to get the fuck off of my property and I'll be happy to speak to you as soon as my lawyer arrives, otherwise, fuck off.

[JoseBalow]

8. There are only two sentences that need ever be spoken to a cop*

1. Am I being detained, or am I free to go? (Repeat as necessary)
2. (A) In that case, I want my lawyer. -or- (B) Great, goodbye/get off my property. (Repeat as necessary)


*Inb4 yes, you need to identify yourself if asked.

[reACTIONary]

11. Also, do not let them in....

.... to talk to you. Step out, close the door. Then tell them to leave.

If they get their foot in the door, they inevitably see something "suspicious" or "illegal" to justify further "investigation".

[JoseBalow]

13. Good point about stepping outside.

And not only can they claim to "see" something, they have a good nose for smelling imaginary contraband.

[orangecrush]

18. BAD ADVICE

Once you step outside your home, you lose some protection.

And if you open the door for them they have been known to put a foot in the door to prevent closing and forcibly enter.

No warrant no talk no open door.

[reACTIONary]

23. Not opening the door at all sounds best.....

.... but if someone knocks, you may open the door simply out of habit. I guess you could slam it in their face.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

24. Don't even step out,

if you have a ring camera or a security screen door, never step outside, tell them to leave and shut the front door.

[2naSalit]

16. And remember...

You do not have to speak to them at all. Though I would ask the two vital questions.

[CanonRay]

9. How does "fuck off and get out of my house" sound?

That's what James and Keith would get out of me.

[IronLionZion]

10. Stasi and KGB

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stasi
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KGB

Make America Soviet Again MASA

[azureblue]

12. if they show up

Do not let them in your house. Do not open the door. In fact, lock it.
Make them show their badges and ID cards, before you say anything, beyond "hello". If they have to hold it up to a window so you can see it, then do it. And maybe take photos of it and them. Try to record everything.
Tell them you want to verify their identities, and ask for their office number, someone who will verify them.
If they ask why, then you say their IDs look fake. If they give you push back, then say they just verified to you they are not who they say they are. And tell them they are trespassing, and appear to be armed, so you are fearing for your life.
Then say nothing but "get off my property".

[MarineCombatEngineer]

25. That's exactly the way to do it.

[Jack Valentino]

14. I never answer the door to anyone. Usually I don't even hear it,

but if I'm not expecting anyone, I won't answer period.

So here's another good reason not to answer the door....

[aggiesal]

15. I want to know about the shadowy entity behind the Epstein Ballroom! n/t

[yellow dahlia]

19. Exactly!

[orangecrush]

17. No warrant no open door no talkee

[Bayard]

20. Once again,

I am glad our house sits 200+ ft off the road, fenced, with a locked gate, and 2 loud Great Pyrenees that patrol the fence

I don't understand why this guy even talked to them. Its not like they were Mulder and Scully.

[Keepthesoulalive]

22. I'm even further back than that

Cameras everywhere and 2 Anatolian shepherds. For some reason folks don’t want to come to this rural area. Folks are very suspicious of authorities.

[sop]

26. Come on, two guys only identifying themselves as "James" and "Keith" aren't real FBI agents.

Everyone knows real FBI would use their last names, it would be "Agent Mulder" and "Agent Scully."

[LetMyPeopleVote]

27. This visit was so sad and stupid

[crud]

28. This is f*cked up on so many levels

I shouldn't have to think about what I tell the FBI when they show up to my door. Or have to decide if I am putting myself at risk by attending a protest. Is there anyone in the government that can write a sternly worded letter or something?