{"id":2571018,"date":"2026-02-18T10:52:01","date_gmt":"2026-02-18T15:52:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mistrial-declared-in-first-federal-antifa-terrorism-case\/"},"modified":"2026-02-18T10:53:59","modified_gmt":"2026-02-18T15:53:59","slug":"mistrial-declared-in-first-federal-antifa-terrorism-case","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mistrial-declared-in-first-federal-antifa-terrorism-case\/","title":{"rendered":"Mistrial declared in first federal antifa terrorism case"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fmistrial-declared-in-first-federal-antifa-terrorism-case%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2571018&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A federal judge halted the first-day proceedings of what would be the United States\u2019 first-known federal terrorism trial targeting alleged antifa members, declaring a mistrial after criticizing the defense attorney\u2019s politically charged attire during jury selection.<\/p>\n<p>Key points:<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; The case involves nine co-defendants accused of attacking an immigration detention center in July 2025 as part of a Dallas-area antifa cell. Maricela Rueda is one of the defendants, represented by defense attorney MarQuetta Clayton.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; The mistrial arose after Clayton wore a T-shirt with civil rights imagery (including Shirley Chisholm adn Martin Luther King Jr.) and referenced a death that morning, prompting Judge Mark Pittman to say that politics have no place in court and that such attire could prejudice jurors.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Pittman described the shirt as possibly signaling support for one side and compared it to wearing symbols like an ICE pin or a Trump image, warning that political messaging in the courtroom can influence jurors.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Dozens of potential jurors where dismissed, and the trial will restart next week with a new pool of jurors for jury selection.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; The incident occurred in the context of the Prairieland ICE facility ambush in Alvarado, Texas, on July 4, 2025, for which the co-defendants are charged with serious <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >offenses <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/man-arrested-for-shooting-near-two-young-girls-in-viral-video-had-a-dozen-prior-arrests-including-violent-crimes\/\" title=\"Man Arrested For Shooting Near Two Young Girls In Viral Video Had A Dozen Prior Arrests, Including Violent Crimes\">including attempted murder<\/a><\/a> of federal officials and providing material support to terrorists; at least one local police officer was shot.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Outside the courthouse, supporters of the defendants gathered, and some attendees complained about rules restricting facial coverings in the spectator area.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; The court will determine whether sanctions are warranted against Clayton, and the trial is expected to resume with jury selection from a fresh pool.<\/p>\n<p>the article covers a high-profile, first-of-its-kind terrorism case and how courtroom conduct and attire impacted the trial\u2019s outset.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Mistrial declared in first antifa terrorism case over defense attorney&rsquo;s &lsquo;politically charged&rsquo; attire<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2234547\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>A judge declared a mistrial on the first day of the first-known <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/antifa\/\">antifa<\/a> terrorism trial, faulting the conduct of a defense attorney for what she chose to wear during jury selection.<\/p>\n<p>The criminal proceedings, considered the first-ever in U.S. history to try suspected antifa members on federal <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/terrorism\/\">terrorism <\/a>charges, will restart next week with the jury-picking process.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/investigations\/4461289\/george-norcross-indictment-ruling-mikie-sherrill-new-jersey\/\">New Jersey AG will not challenge George Norcross indictment ruling<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/investigations\/4458485\/liberals-join-soros-bankrolling-dc-jury-nullification\/\">Mainstream liberals join Soros in bankrolling group backing DC jury nullification effort<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/crime\/4459824\/transgender-suspect-rhode-island-mass-shooting-threatened-go-berserk\/\">Transgender suspect in Rhode Island mass shooting threatened to &#8216;go BERSERK&#8217; if people &#8216;keep bashing us&#8217;<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>On Tuesday, Judge Mark Pittman called out the &ldquo;politically charged&rdquo; outfit choice of MarQuetta Clayton, a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/Black-Lives-Matter\/\">Black Lives Matter<\/a> activist and the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/theclaytonlaw.com\/about-us\">criminal defense attorney<\/a> for one of the nine co-defendants accused of attacking an immigration detention center in July 2025 as part of a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/Texas\/\">Texas<\/a> antifa cell.<\/p>\n<p>Clayton was wearing a T-shirt with messaging about civil rights accompanied by images of Shirley Chisholm, the first black congresswoman, and Martin Luther King Jr.<\/p>\n<p>Pittman noticed Clayton&rsquo;s shirt about 22 minutes after she started questioning the panel of prospective jurors. While asking questions to decide who to strike from the jury pool, Clayton mentioned the death of civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, which <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4459768\/jesse-jackson-dead-civil-rights-activist-dies-at-84\/\">occurred that morning<\/a>, framing the defense&rsquo;s position as being on the side of justice.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know why in the world you would think that&rsquo;s appropriate,&rdquo; Pittman reportedly told Clayton, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.keranews.org\/criminal-justice\/2026-02-17\/judge-declares-mistrial-in-prairieland-ice-shooting-trial-over-lawyers-politically-charged-shirt\">per<\/a> NPR North Texas.<\/p>\n<p>Pittman, noting that he admired Chisholm and King, compared Clayton&rsquo;s shirt to a scenario in which a prosecutor wears an Immigration and Customs Enforcement pin or a shirt showing President Donald Trump &ldquo;riding an eagle with an ICE flag.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The federal judge, a Trump appointee, raised concerns about such attire, regardless of the wearer&rsquo;s political beliefs, possibly intimidating or influencing jurors toward a particular view.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Politics &mdash; as prevalent as they are, as divided as they are &mdash; don&rsquo;t have any business here,&rdquo; Pittman said.<\/p>\n<p>Clayton, who is <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/marqclaytonforjudge.com\/meet-marq\">running<\/a> to be a criminal court judge in Tarrant County, Texas, often <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/theclaytonlaw\/posts\/pfbid029C21mMv1N86xxsuY9bTzqQ3Em4jPMzDAMbxMLFJ2JoMZesc6gUBZe41ZE48NoMhkl\">dons<\/a> clothing displaying political messages.<\/p>\n<p>She is representing <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Rueda-booking-page.pdf\">Maricela Rueda<\/a>, one of nine alleged co-conspirators facing trial for a slew of charges, including attempted murder of federal officials and providing material support to terrorists. The ambush <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/investigations\/3466426\/meet-the-antifa-cell-terrorism-attempted-murder-ambush-at-texas-ice-facility\/\">on July 4, 2025<\/a>, allegedly intended to assassinate the ICE personnel who were guarding the Prairieland facility, left a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/texas-cell-guilty-pleas-could-pull-back-curtains-on-antifa\/\" title=\"... cell guilty pleas could pull back curtains on antifa\">local police officer shot<\/a> in the neck.<\/p>\n<p>Seven other self-admitted cell members have <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3895618\/confessions-texas-antifa-cell-operatives-could-pull-back-curtain\/\">confessed<\/a> that they belong to an antifa faction based in the Dallas area, and some of those now-convicted antifa associates are slated to testify against the accused.<\/p>\n<p>Pittman said he had never declared a mistrial before Tuesday but found that Clayton&rsquo;s clothing could prejudice jurors in favor of the defendants.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s what [the shirt is] suggesting that&rsquo;s improper,&rdquo; Pittman ruled.<\/p>\n<p>Pittman suggested that Clayton was attempting to visually equate the civil rights movement with the Prairieland shooting.<\/p>\n<p>Dismissing the dozens of people called for jury duty, Pittman added, &ldquo;I&rsquo;m left with no other choice.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;This has to be a first in the history of American jurisprudence, I would think,&rdquo; Pittman said of a mistrial of this nature, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.star-telegram.com\/news\/local\/crime\/article314726809.html\">according<\/a> to the <em>Fort Worth Star-Telegram<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>The trial will tentatively start again on Monday, with jury selection from a new pool of candidates.<\/p>\n<p>Clayton was <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cbsnews.com\/texas\/news\/ice-detention-center-alvarado-texas-attack-july-4-trial-fort-worth\/\">spotted<\/a> leaving the federal courthouse with her shirt turned inside out. A later hearing will decide at some point whether Clayton&rsquo;s conduct warrants any sanctions. Pittman said the rules of conduct for trial stipulate that graphic tees are strictly forbidden.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/investigations\/3933620\/texas-antifa-cell-terrorism-case-confessions-mount\/\"><strong>TEXAS ANTIFA TERRORISM CASE: CONFESSIONS MOUNT AS TRUMP DOJ CLINCHES MORE CONVICTIONS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>A group of antifa activists gathered across the street, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fox4news.com\/news\/mistrial-federal-domestic-terrorism-case-over-alvarado-ice-facility-attack\">waving signage<\/a> demanding that authorities &ldquo;free all the Prairieland defendants!&rdquo; Investigative journalist Andy Ngo <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ngocomment.com\/p\/leftist-lawyer-causes-day-one-mistrial\">reported<\/a> that antifa organizers are directing their followers to pack the courthouse throughout the trial.<\/p>\n<p>The spectator gallery poured into an overflow room on Tuesday. Several attendees appearing in support of the defendants complained that the court rules do not allow spectators to sport face coverings, a common <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3493802\/antifa-organization-movement-has-metastasized\/\">antifa tactic<\/a> that shields one&rsquo;s identity.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Mistrial in first antifa terrorism case over attire<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3767,"featured_media":2571019,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/GettyImages-1230094388.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[3802,16544,6039],"class_list":["post-2571018","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-antifa","tag-mistrial","tag-terrorism"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/GettyImages-1230094388.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2571018","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3767"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2571018"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2571018\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2571022,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2571018\/revisions\/2571022"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2571019"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2571018"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2571018"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2571018"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}