{"id":2572574,"date":"2026-02-23T11:46:02","date_gmt":"2026-02-23T16:46:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/first-antifa-terrorism-trial-restarts-following-mistrial\/"},"modified":"2026-02-23T11:51:38","modified_gmt":"2026-02-23T16:51:38","slug":"first-antifa-terrorism-trial-restarts-following-mistrial","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/first-antifa-terrorism-trial-restarts-following-mistrial\/","title":{"rendered":"First antifa terrorism trial restarts following mistrial"},"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\">14<\/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%2Ffirst-antifa-terrorism-trial-restarts-following-mistrial%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=2572574&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>The article covers the restart of the first federal antifa terrorism trial after a mistrial,focusing on nine suspected members of a Dallas-area antifa cell facing charges for a July 4,2025 ambush on an ICE detention facility in Alvarado,Texas. The defendants are charged with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/israel-war-bidens-6-billion-iran-prisoner-swap-deal-under-harsh-spotlight\/\" title=\"Biden&#039;s B Iran prisoner swap deal scrutinized amid Israel war.\">terrorism-related offenses<\/a>, including obstruction, providing material support to terrorists, conspiracy, attempted murder of federal officers, and unlawful use of explosives; a conviction could mean life in federal prison. The mistrial occurred during jury selection when a defense attorney\u2019s politically charged shirt and questioning style were deemed to have biased the panel, leading Judge Mark Pittman to dismiss the pool and order a new jury process. The prosecution argues the incident was a calculated trap to draw security personnel into the line of fire, while the defense contends the event was a peaceful \u201cnoise demonstration\u201d in solidarity with ICE detainees and not a riot or terrorist attack. <\/p>\n<p>Ahead of and during the trial, the defense sought to present expert witnesses to blur the line between protests and violence, portraying antifa as a loosely organized, non-leadership-driven movement rather then a cohesive terrorist network. Several co-defendants have already pleaded guilty,admitting affiliation with the antifa cell and involvement in acts described as terrorism,signaling an unprecedented level of inside-the-movement exposure in court. The case is viewed as perhaps unmasking antifa\u2019s organizational structure, cell-based operations, and communication networks, and as a test of federal efforts to treat antifa as a domestic terror threat under political pressure from the Trump administration.  <\/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\">First antifa terrorism trial restarts following mistrial: What you need to know<\/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_2510607\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>The trial of nine suspected members of a self-admitted <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/antifa\/\">antifa<\/a> cell is restarting, following an abrupt <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/investigations\/4461207\/mistrial-antifa-terrorism-case-defense-attorney-shirt\/\">mistrial declared<\/a> last week, as they face federal <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/terrorism\/\">terrorism<\/a>-related charges stemming from their alleged roles in a July 2025 ambush on an <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ICE\/\">Immigration and Customs Enforcement<\/a> facility in Alvarado, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/Texas\/\">Texas<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The criminal proceeding, which will start again on Monday with jury selection, is <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3853827\/texas-antifa-members-indicted-on-terrorism-charges-for-ice-attack-first-time-ever\/\">considered<\/a> the first-known federal trial to treat antifa as a terrorist organization after President Donald Trump officially <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/presidential-actions\/2025\/09\/designating-antifa-as-a-domestic-terrorist-organization\/\">designated<\/a> far-left groups that organize behind an antifa ideology as domestic terrorism threats.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/investigations\/4464348\/conflict-of-interest-byron-donalds-financial-interest-bitcoin-pushes-pro-crypto-platform\/\">&#8216;Conflict of interest&#8217;: Byron Donalds takes financial interest in Bitcoin as he pushes pro-crypto platform<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/investigations\/4466009\/anti-ice-church-protesters-insist-case-is-not-spreading-conspiracy-requiring-extensive-evidence-review\/\">Anti-ICE church protesters insist case is not spreading conspiracy, requiring extensive evidence review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/investigations\/4462492\/foreign-agents-pump-cash-campaigns-2026-elections\/\">Foreign agents pump large amounts of cash into campaigns ahead of 2026 elections<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Here&rsquo;s what to know about the case, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3895618\/confessions-texas-antifa-cell-operatives-could-pull-back-curtain\/\">seen by some observers<\/a> as a test case for the federal government to put the broader antifa movement on trial for the first time in U.S. history.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-case-background\">Case background<\/h2>\n<p>On July 4, 2025, more than a dozen <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\/\">heavily armed anti-ICE militants<\/a> lured law enforcement personnel outside the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ice.gov\/detain\/detention-facilities\/prairieland-detention-facility\">Prairieland Detention Center<\/a>, an immigration processing site near Fort Worth, and opened fire on the correctional officers from various vantage points, authorities say. A local Alvarado police officer called to the scene of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/confessions-mount-in-texas-antifa-cell-terrorism-case\/\" title=\"Confessions mount in ... ... ... ...\">large-scale assassination attempt<\/a> was shot in the neck by the black-clad assailants.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Song-booking-page.pdf\">Benjamin Hanil Song<\/a>; Zachary Jared Evetts; <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Batten-booking-page.pdf\">Savanna Sue Batten<\/a>; Daniel Rolando Sanchez-Estrada; <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Rueda-booking-page.pdf\">Maricela Rueda<\/a>; <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Soto-booking-page.pdf\">Elizabeth Andrea Soto<\/a>; <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Soto-booking-page-2.pdf\">Ines Houston Soto<\/a>; <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Arnold-booking-page.pdf\">Cameron James Arnold<\/a>, also known as &ldquo;Autumn Hill&rdquo;;&nbsp;and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Morris-booking-page.pdf\">Bradford Winston Morris<\/a>, alias &ldquo;Meagan Elizabeth,&rdquo; were jointly indicted as coconspirators in connection with the Alvarado shooting.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3853827\/texas-antifa-members-indicted-on-terrorism-charges-for-ice-attack-first-time-ever\/\"><strong>TEXAS ANTIFA MEMBERS INDICTED ON TERRORISM CHARGES FOR ICE ATTACK: &lsquo;FIRST TIME EVER&rsquo;<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The defendants, believed to be cell operatives or associates of a Dallas-area antifa faction, are standing trial on <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.justice.gov\/usao-ndtx\/pr\/antifa-cell-members-indicted-prairieland-shooting\">a slew of charges<\/a> &mdash; including obstruction, providing material support to terrorists, conspiracy to conceal documents, attempted murder of federal officers, and unlawful use of explosives &mdash; for either allegedly participating in the coordinated attack or tampering with evidence afterward.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Mugshot of Benjamin Hanil Song (Johnson County Sheriff&rsquo;s Office)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Some of the suspects are <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/storage.courtlistener.com\/recap\/gov.uscourts.txnd.410488\/gov.uscourts.txnd.410488.127.0.pdf\">accused<\/a> of supplying the antifa cell with communications equipment, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/MrAndyNgo\/status\/1945647577728221362\">weapons training<\/a>, and transportation to and from the crime scene as getaway drivers.<\/p>\n<p>Song, the cell&rsquo;s suspected ringleader and a former Marine Corps reservist, eluded capture for more than a week thanks to a support network that mobilized to ensure his escape. While he was on the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dps.texas.gov\/Texas10MostWanted\/MostWanted\/fugitiveDetails?id=1867\">Texas Top 10 Most Wanted Fugitives list<\/a>, several now-<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/investigations\/3933620\/texas-antifa-cell-terrorism-case-confessions-mount\/\">convicted<\/a> accomplices ferried Song between safehouses and supplied him with food, temporary shelter, and physical disguises. A multistate manhunt <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20250710022816\/https:\/\/www.fbi.gov\/wanted\/additional\/benjamin-hanil-song\">involving the FBI<\/a>, however, eventually led to Song&rsquo;s apprehension.<\/p>\n<p>According to authorities, Song distributed firearms to the defendants as well as recruited members at gun ranges and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/MrAndyNgo\/status\/1943168668558377358\">combat sessions<\/a> that he conducted around North Texas.<\/p>\n<p>If convicted on all counts, the defendants could spend life in federal prison.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-a-shaky-start-for-the-defendants\">A shaky start for the defendants<\/h2>\n<p>Day One of jury selection <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/investigations\/4461207\/mistrial-antifa-terrorism-case-defense-attorney-shirt\/\">abruptly ended in a mistrial<\/a> last Tuesday over the &ldquo;politically charged&rdquo; outfit choice and questioning style of Rueda&rsquo;s defense attorney, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/theclaytonlaw.com\/about-us\">MarQuetta Clayton<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Clayton was wearing a T-shirt with messaging about civil rights during <em>voir dire<\/em>, a part of the jury-picking process in which attorneys ask questions to identify who to strike from consideration.<\/p>\n<p>Judge Mark Pittman, in his decision to dismiss the jury pool, suggested that Clayton, who had mentioned the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4459768\/jesse-jackson-dead-civil-rights-activist-dies-at-84\/\">death of civil rights activist Jesse Jackson<\/a> that morning to the prospective jurors, was trying to equate the defense&rsquo;s side of the case with the civil rights movement.<\/p>\n<p>Pittman found that Clayton&rsquo;s courtroom attire, paired with her line of questions, may have influenced the jury panel toward a prejudiced view favorable to the defendants.<\/p>\n<p>A new pool of candidates will be summoned this week for jury selection.<\/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>Pittman, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.txnd.uscourts.gov\/judge\/judge-mark-pittman\">a Trump appointee<\/a>, rejected many of the defense&rsquo;s procedural requests heading into trial, including attempts to exclude &ldquo;all physical evidence&rdquo; obtained during the FBI&rsquo;s search of the accused&rsquo;s property.<\/p>\n<p>The defense <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/storage.courtlistener.com\/recap\/gov.uscourts.txnd.410488\/gov.uscourts.txnd.410488.195.0.pdf\">sought<\/a> to suppress mounds of material, &ldquo;including, but not limited to, firearms, ammunition, printing devices, laptops, notes, cell phones, pamphlets, knives, identification, documentation, radios, tablets, [and] storage devices&rdquo; seized in the initial investigation.<\/p>\n<p>An <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/storage.courtlistener.com\/recap\/gov.uscourts.txnd.410488\/gov.uscourts.txnd.410488.195.2.pdf\">FBI search warrant<\/a> shows that investigators were authorized to seize &ldquo;Any and all flyers, printed materials, social media posts, and communications concerning: anti-government ideology; overthrowing the U.S. government; and interference with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and\/or other law enforcement or government functions.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>During the inquiry, investigators discovered a flag declaring, &ldquo;RESIST FASCISM&mdash;FIGHT OLIGARCHY,&rdquo; an agitprop pamphlet titled &ldquo;Organizing for Attack! INSURRECTIONARY ANARCHY,&rdquo; and flyers displaying slogans such as &ldquo;FIGHT ICE TERROR WITH CLASS WAR!&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Pittman also denied the defense&rsquo;s <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/storage.courtlistener.com\/recap\/gov.uscourts.txnd.410488\/gov.uscourts.txnd.410488.196.0.pdf\">pretrial motion<\/a> to preclude the admissibility of one codefendant&rsquo;s statements to police.<\/p>\n<p>While in custody, Morris made statements that incriminated other defendants. The defense moved in response to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/storage.courtlistener.com\/recap\/gov.uscourts.txnd.410488\/gov.uscourts.txnd.410488.230.0.pdf\">redact those names<\/a> and replace them with &ldquo;a neutral reference such as &lsquo;other person&rsquo; when discussing the singular and\/or &lsquo;a few other guys&rsquo; when discussing the plural.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-defense-s-legal-strategy\">The defense&rsquo;s legal strategy<\/h2>\n<p>Several codefendants indicated when speaking to the press that their attorneys will argue at trial that they were just hosting a peaceful fireworks protest against ICE.<\/p>\n<p>Prosecutors say that the suspects had set off fireworks that night as an intended trap designed to draw out the federal security guards into the line of fire.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The antifa cell allegedly used fireworks to lure the immigration officers outside the ICE facility in Alvarado. (Department of Justice)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Rueda, in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.keranews.org\/criminal-justice\/2026-02-17\/prairieland-detention-center-shooting-trial-ice-alvarado-texas-immigration-antifa-terrorism-trump?_amp=true\">an interview<\/a> with NPR North Texas at the Johnson County Jail, claimed that the planned event was meant to be a &ldquo;joyful&rdquo; show of support for the illegal immigrants detained inside the ICE facility, not an assassination plot intended to kill the officers guarding the site.<\/p>\n<p>Morris&rsquo;s wife, Stephanie Shiver, similarly told the outlet that the suspects were merely rallying in support of the ICE detainees in a nonviolent display of solidarity.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;They were going in solidarity with the people ICE has been kidnapping and detaining,&rdquo; Shiver said. &ldquo;The whole point was to make noise and make the people inside feel that they&rsquo;re not forgotten and not ignored.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Elizabeth &ldquo;Liz&rdquo; Soto&rsquo;s attorney, Xavier T. de Janon, likewise characterized the purpose of the late-night gathering as a so-called &ldquo;noise demonstration.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Asked if his client is a member of antifa, de Janon cast doubt on antifa&rsquo;s existence, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcdfw.com\/news\/local\/trial-alleged-antifa-members-prairieland-attack\/3985263\/\">telling<\/a> NBC&rsquo;s Dallas-Fort Worth affiliate, &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know what Antifa means. Antifa isn&rsquo;t real, and I think it is fair to say that everyone who went to an anti-ICE noise demonstration stands against ICE, which is a violent, murderous agency at this point.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The accusations of a terrorist cell in North Texas, you would think that they would have found tanks and airplanes,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;But instead, all we have is pamphlets, zines, signal messages, diaries.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The peaceful framing was also reflected in Clayton&rsquo;s jury questioning.<\/p>\n<p>Noting the constitutional right to protest, 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\">reportedly<\/a> asked the panel of possible jurors whether they knew the difference between a noise demonstration and a riot. Clayton then prompted them to answer whether they believed a peaceful protest could cross the line into becoming a riot, indicating so on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being in strong agreement.<\/p>\n<p>Clayton&rsquo;s co-counsel, Lesa Pamplin, brought a poster board juxtaposing scenes of seemingly peaceful protests with a fiery riot. Pittman subsequently admonished the defense team for trying to introduce the visual without informing the court or federal prosecutors for prior approval.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/investigations\/3819800\/media-go-to-antifa-expert-is-financial-backer-of-antifa\/\"><strong>THE MEDIA&rsquo;S GO-TO ANTIFA &lsquo;EXPERT&rsquo; IS A FINANCIAL BACKER OF ANTIFA<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Ahead of the trial, the defense lawyers selected a handful of researchers who study supposed right-wing radicalism and endorse &ldquo;anti-fascist&rdquo; activism themselves to take the witness stand as &ldquo;experts&rdquo; on the matter of political extremism.<\/p>\n<p>The defense&rsquo;s lineup of &ldquo;expert witnesses&rdquo; included Shon Meckfessel, a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Suffled-How-Gush-American-Anarchist\/dp\/1904859852\">self-described<\/a> anarchist; <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/archive.is\/cs1e4\">&ldquo;old school anti-fascist&rdquo;<\/a> Devin Burghart; and longtime Portland activist Steven Gardiner.<\/p>\n<p>Burghart, who sarcastically <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/archive.is\/7Rakj\">signs<\/a> X posts as speaking on behalf of antifa, spread the claim that the Proud Boys <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/archive.is\/tbmTg\">&ldquo;invented&rdquo;<\/a> antifa.<\/p>\n<p>Gardiner has led resistance efforts in Portland since the 1990s, according to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/politicalresearch.org\/people\/steven-gardiner\">a profile<\/a> from Political Research Associates, where he works as principal adviser. The group <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/politicalresearch.org\/2021\/07\/13\/great-2020-antifa-scare\">claimed<\/a> in 2020 that concerns about leftist violence were part of &ldquo;The Great Antifa Scare,&rdquo; a campaign to purportedly protect the rise of &ldquo;fascism.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Meckfessel has sought through his work to blur the line between peaceful protests and criminal conduct. MeckFessel&rsquo;s <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Nonviolence-Aint-What-Used-Insurrection\/dp\/1849352291\">2016 book<\/a>, <em>Nonviolence Ain&rsquo;t What It Used To Be<\/em>, debates the merits of violent and nonviolent protests. &ldquo;My goal in this book is not to advocate violence or to prescribe nonviolence; it is, in fact, to move beyond the politically obstructive dichotomy of such prescriptions,&rdquo; Meckfessel&rsquo;s introduction reads.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >antifa cell allegedly vandalized vehicles parked<\/a> in the lot adjacent to the Alvarado facility, slashing tires and spray painting anti-ICE phrases on nearby property. (Department of Justice)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>According to the defense&rsquo;s <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/storage.courtlistener.com\/recap\/gov.uscourts.txnd.410488\/gov.uscourts.txnd.410488.224.0_1.pdf\">notice of expert testimony<\/a>, the witnesses will testify that groups such as the Texas cell &ldquo;sometimes adopt the aesthetic trappings of a paramilitary organization (i.e. wearing all black or camouflage clothing) in the course of a political demonstration even if there is no intent or desire to engage in violent conduct&rdquo; and that &ldquo;the actions of the defendants do not bear the hallmarks of an ANTIFA attack.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>In its effort to find experts, the defense hosted a Zoom call with <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/investigations\/3819800\/media-go-to-antifa-expert-is-financial-backer-of-antifa\/\">Mark Bray<\/a>, author of <em>Antifa: The Anti-Fascist Handbook<\/em> and antifa&rsquo;s foremost thought leader in the United States.<\/p>\n<p>Defense attorney Christopher Weinbel <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/dailycaller.com\/2026\/02\/13\/antifa-texas-terrorism-trial-trump-leftist-defense-witnesses-woke-academia\/\">told<\/a> the <em>Daily Caller<\/em> that they did not end up using Bray, who <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/investigations\/3819800\/media-go-to-antifa-expert-is-financial-backer-of-antifa\/\">financially backs<\/a> an international antifa bail fund by way of his book&rsquo;s proceeds, in part because <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/investigations\/3843239\/antifa-leaders-flee-america\/\">he fled the U.S.<\/a> following Trump&rsquo;s promise to crack down on antifa&rsquo;s domestic funding sources.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-unmasking-antifa-what-s-at-stake-for-antifa-s-forces\">Unmasking antifa: What&rsquo;s at stake for antifa&rsquo;s forces<\/h2>\n<p>Preceded by the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3895618\/confessions-texas-antifa-cell-operatives-could-pull-back-curtain\/\">confessions of seven other cell operatives<\/a> late last year, this month&rsquo;s trial could further pull back the curtain on antifa operations in the U.S. by publicly airing the movement&rsquo;s mobilization tactics and organizational structure, despite Democrats insisting that antifa is simply an idea.<\/p>\n<p>Nearly half of the original 16 codefendants have entered guilty pleas and confessed, in exchange, that they belong to a highly sophisticated antifa cell based in the Dallas area.<\/p>\n<p>Pursuant to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/storage.courtlistener.com\/recap\/gov.uscourts.txnd.411810\/gov.uscourts.txnd.411810.105.0.pdf\">plea agreements<\/a>, the admitted antifa associates acknowledged in sworn statements their affiliation or membership, marking the first instance in U.S. history that antifa ideologues admitted in criminal court to being part of an organized antifa branch.<\/p>\n<p>As part of the plea deals, they also admitted to aiding &ldquo;acts of terrorism,&rdquo; another win in the books for the Trump administration after the president directed federal investigative agencies to target, as terrorist enterprises, all criminal networks operating in the name of antifa.<\/p>\n<p>The guilty pleas, along with their accompanying admissions, divulged in great detail how antifa&rsquo;s ranks tend to organize in &ldquo;cells or &lsquo;affinity groups&rsquo;&rdquo; around their beliefs. According to court documents, the Texas cell members, in particular, found each other through far-left social media channels, and they coordinated via various chatrooms over Signal, an encrypted messaging platform, to prepare for the surprise attack on the Alvarado compound.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/investigations\/3499558\/antifa-inc-left-wing-movement-ideology-criminal-network\/\"><strong>ANTIFA INC: HOW AN IDEOLOGY BECAME AN ORGANIZED CRIMINAL NETWORK<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Extremism watchdogs <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3895618\/confessions-texas-antifa-cell-operatives-could-pull-back-curtain\/\">envision<\/a> that the trial, expected to last several weeks, will similarly lay bare antifa&rsquo;s apparatus, tactical strategies, and on-the-ground operations.<\/p>\n<p>Information revealed at trial could help debunk left-wing claims that antifa is an amorphous, leaderless movement existing only online &mdash; and thus, not a real-world threat. The defense appears poised to play off of that myth to confuse jurors about what antifa is and call into question whether the defendants are, in fact, foot soldiers committed to the cause.<\/p>\n<p>Some of the cell members who pled out to avoid decades behind bars will be called to testify against their fellow comrades. Never before, in recent memory, have antifa operatives openly admitted their allegiance in the court record, let alone unmasked other associates.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;This is an unprecedented case,&rdquo; Capital Research Center president Scott Walter <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3895618\/confessions-texas-antifa-cell-operatives-could-pull-back-curtain\/\">previously<\/a> told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>. &ldquo;They have gone on the record, saying, &lsquo;Here&rsquo;s how we operated. Here are the other people I was working with. Here&rsquo;s the person I was helping to hide out.&rsquo;&rdquo;<\/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>Here\u2019s a paraphrase of the article, in concise form:<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; A federal terrorism case involving nine people tied to a Dallas-area antifa cell is resuming after a mistrial. The defendants face charges connected to an alleged July 2025 ambush at an ICE facility in Alvarado, Texas.<br \/>\n&#8211; This restart would be the first federal trial to treat antifa as a terrorist organization, following President Trump\u2019s designation of far-left groups that organize under antifa as domestic terrorism threats.<br \/>\n&#8211; The trial\u2019s reopening, with jury selection, is seen by some as a test case for prosecuting the broader antifa movement in U.S. history.<\/p>\n<p>Case background and charges:<br \/>\n&#8211; On July 4, 2025, more than a dozen armed anti-ICE militants allegedly lured law enforcement away from the Prairieland Detention Center near Fort Worth and opened fire on officers from multiple angles. A local Alvarado police officer was shot in the neck.<br \/>\n&#8211; The defendants\u2014Benjamin Hanil Song; Zachary Jared Evetts; Savanna Sue Batten; Daniel Rolando Sanchez-Estrada; Maricela Rueda; Elizabeth Andrea Soto; Ines Houston Soto; Cameron James Arnold (also known as Autumn Hill); and Bradford Winston Morris (alias Meagan Elizabeth)\u2014were charged as co-conspirators in connection with the attack.<br \/>\n&#8211; They face a range of federal counts, including obstruction, providing material support to terrorists, conspiracy to conceal documents, attempted murder of federal officers, and unlawful use of explosives, for taking part in the attack or tampering with evidence afterward.<br \/>\n&#8211; Some defendants are accused of supplying communications gear, weapons training, or acting as getaway drivers. Song, the alleged ringleader and a former Marine reservist, evaded capture for over a week before a multistate manhunt led to his arrest in Texas.<\/p>\n<p>Potential penalties:<br \/>\n&#8211; If convicted on all counts, the defendants could face life in federal prison.<\/p>\n<p>Trial starting issues and defense strategy:<br \/>\n&#8211; Day one of jury selection ended in a mistrial after a dispute over the defense attorney\u2019s conduct and attire, which prosecutors and the judge said could have biased potential jurors.<br \/>\n&#8211; The judge, Mark Pittman, rejected several defense motions, including attempts to suppress large amounts of physical evidence seized during the FBI search of the defendants\u2019 property.<br \/>\n&#8211; The FBI seized items such as firearms, ammunition, electronics, communications gear, and propaganda materials. The defense sought to redact a co-defendant\u2019s statements that implicated others.<br \/>\n&#8211; Some defense members argue the event was a peaceful fireworks display protesting ICE, not an assassination attempt. Prosecutors say fireworks were used as a trap to draw out federal officers into the line of fire.<br \/>\n&#8211; The defense has stressed the right to protest and has questioned whether antifa is a real, centralized organization. They\u2019ve presented expert witnesses who study political extremism and argue that antifa often adopts militaristic aesthetics without violent intent.<br \/>\n&#8211; The defense\u2019s lineup included researchers who argue that \u201canti-fascist\u201d actions may not align with terrorist violence. They also contacted Mark Bray (author of Antifa: The Anti-Fascist Handbook) as a potential expert, though he was not ultimately used.<br \/>\n&#8211; The prosecution and defense have clashed over how to frame antifa, with the defense attempting to portray the movement as largely nonviolent and decentralized, while prosecutors seek to show a coordinated, armed operation.<\/p>\n<p>What lies ahead:<br \/>\n&#8211; The trial is expected to run for several weeks and may reveal more about how antifa cells organize, communicate, and operate in real life, challenging claims that antifa is merely an online idea without real-world impact.<br \/>\n&#8211; Some co-defendants who previously pleaded guilty in exchange for admissions of membership and involvement are expected to testify, providing a detailed picture of the group\u2019s structure and activities.<\/p>\n<p>55-character title (within limit)<br \/>\n&#8211; Antifa terrorism trial restarts after mistrial<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019d like, I can tailor the paraphrase to a shorter or longer style, or focus on particular details (e.g., the legal motions, the defense experts, or the charges)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3767,"featured_media":2572575,"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\/08\/Antifa-flag.webp?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[3802,4151,16544,6039,4853],"class_list":["post-2572574","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-antifa","tag-judiciary","tag-mistrial","tag-terrorism","tag-trial"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Antifa-flag.webp?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2572574","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=2572574"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2572574\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2572578,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2572574\/revisions\/2572578"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2572575"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2572574"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2572574"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2572574"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}