The government secured a conviction in its first case alleging material support for terrorism against individuals accused of affiliation with “antifa.” President Donald Trump designated “antifa” as a domestic terror group in 2025, despite the acknowledged absence of a formal organization and the lack of presidential authority to make such designations.
On Friday, a federal jury in Fort Worth, Texas, found eight people guilty of domestic terrorism for wearing all black to a protest outside Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Prairieland Detention Facility in Alvarado, Texas, on July 4, 2025. The protest occurred during an event where one participant shot and wounded a police officer. Legal experts suggest the verdict could encourage further attempts to suppress dissent.
“A case like this helps the government kind of witness how far they can go in criminalizing constitutionally protected protests and also helps them kind of intimidate, increase the fear, hoping that folks in other cities then will think twice over protesting,” Suzanne Adely, interim president of the National Lawyers Guild, told The Associated Press.
The Trump administration stated this case would be the first of many.
“The US lost today with this verdict.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement Friday, “Antifa is a domestic terrorist organization that has been allowed to flourish in Democrat-led cities—not under President Trump.” Bondi continued, “Today’s verdict on terrorism charges will not be the last as the Trump administration systematically dismantles Antifa and finally halts their violence on America’s streets.”
The trial centered on a protest where participants planned to set off fireworks in solidarity with approximately 1,000 migrants detained at the Prairieland ICE facility. Some protesters legally carried guns, as reported by The Intercept.
According to The Guardian, the situation escalated when two or three protesters began vandalizing property, including cars and a guard shack, and slashing a government van’s tires. After ICE detention guards asked them to stop, a police officer arrived and drew his weapon. One protester then shot the officer in the shoulder, and the officer survived.
Initially, those arrested faced charges of “attempted murder of a police officer,” according to NOTUS. However, following Trump’s designation of antifa as a terror group and the release of National Security Presidential Memorandum 7 (NSPM-7) – which directs federal law enforcement to target left-leaning groups – the charges were expanded to include terrorism.
One defense lawyer told NOTUS on background, “This wouldn’t be a terrorism case if it weren’t for that memo.”
Prosecutors argued that wearing black clothing to the protest was sufficient evidence of material support for terrorism, stating, “Providing your body as camouflage for others to do the enumerated acts is providing support,” according to Assistant US Attorney Shawn Smith.
The defense warned the jury about the free speech implications of the charges, with attorney Blake Burns arguing, “The government is asking you to put protesters in prison as terrorists. You are the only people who can stop that.”
the jury convicted eight defendants of material support for terrorism, as well as riot, conspiracy to use and carry an explosive, and use and carry of an explosive. The jury dismissed charges of attempted murder and discharging a firearm against four defendants who did not shoot at the police officer. Only Benjamin Song, the alleged shooter, was charged with attempted murder and discharging a firearm.
A ninth defendant, Daniel Rolando Sanchez Estrada, was convicted of conspiracy to conceal documents for moving a box of zines from his wife’s home after her arrest. His attorney, Christopher Weinbel, stated, “The US lost today with this verdict.”
Support the Prarieland Defendants stated, “Everything about this trial from beginning to finish has proven what we have said all along: This is a sham trial, built on political persecution and ideological attacks coming from the top.” They vowed to continue supporting the defendants.
Outside observers expressed concern about the implications for the right to protest. Cory Archibald, co-founder of Track AIPAC, said, “Remember all the people who dismissed the alarm over NSPM-7 because ‘ANTIFA isn’t even a real organization’? We told you that didn’t matter. When the villain is a made-up boogeyman then the target becomes ‘anyone who disagrees with Trump’—and this is the result.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What charges were the eight defendants convicted of?
The eight defendants were convicted of material support for terrorism, as well as riot, conspiracy to use and carry an explosive, and use and carry of an explosive.
What was the initial charge against those arrested after the protest?
The initial charge against those arrested was “attempted murder of a police officer,” according to NOTUS.
What is National Security Presidential Memorandum 7 (NSPM-7)?
NSPM-7 directs federal law enforcement to target left-leaning groups, and activities.
Given this verdict, what impact might this have on future protests and the exercise of First Amendment rights?
