DOJ Files Historic Terrorism Charges Against Two Alleged Antifa Operatives in Texas Attack

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The Department of Justice has filed terrorism charges against two alleged Antifa members accused of orchestrating a violent assault on federal law enforcement officers in Texas—marking the first time such charges have ever been brought against individuals affiliated with the far-left extremist network.

According to an indictment unsealed Thursday in federal district court, defendants Cameron Arnold and Zachary Evetts face multiple counts, including providing material support for terrorism, attempting to murder federal officers, and discharging firearms during attempted murders.

Prosecutors allege that on the night of July 4, Arnold, Evetts, and as many as nine others—described in the filing as members of a “North Texas Antifa cell”—launched a coordinated attack on law enforcement near Dallas. The group allegedly donned black military-style clothing, with several participants wearing body armor, before assaulting officers stationed at the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, Texas.

Authorities say the assailants initially fired commercial-grade fireworks at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility before escalating the assault to gunfire, targeting both ICE agents and a local police officer responding to the scene.

The charges represent a significant escalation in the federal government’s approach to politically motivated violence tied to Antifa, which officials have previously characterized as a loosely organized, decentralized movement rather than a formal organization.

If convicted, Arnold and Evetts could face life sentences. The Justice Department has not ruled out additional arrests, noting that the investigation into the North Texas cell remains active.

When an Alvarado police officer responded to the scene, one of the assailants allegedly opened fire, striking the officer in the neck. According to prosecutors, the attackers—identified as alleged Antifa members—then unleashed dozens of additional rounds at unarmed Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers positioned nearby.

In its indictment, the Department of Justice described Antifa as “a militant enterprise made up of individuals and small groups primarily subscribing to a revolutionary anarchist or autonomous Marxist ideology, which explicitly calls for the overthrow of the United States Government.”

The document further alleges that the group was heavily armed, possessing more than 50 firearms at the time of the assault. Prosecutors say the operation was the result of meticulous planning, which included surveillance of the target facility and the exchange of encrypted communications containing tactical information—such as a detailed map of the Prairieland Detention Center and the placement of its security cameras.

Investigators also cited messages recovered from encrypted group chats. In one exchange, a member allegedly declared, “I’m done with peaceful protests,” followed by another message stating, “Blue lives don’t matter.”

Attorney General Pam Bondi addressed the indictment on social media, writing, “Antifa is a left-wing terrorist organization. They will be prosecuted as such.”

FBI Director Kash Patel reacted to the indictment by sharing a Fox News headline highlighting the unprecedented nature of the case.

“First time ever: the FBI arrested Antifa-aligned anarchist violent extremists and terrorism charges have been brought for the July 4 Prairieland ICE attack in Texas,” Patel wrote.

He went on to credit recent policy changes under the Trump administration for the arrests, adding, “Under President Trump’s new authorities we’ve made 20+ arrests. No one gets to harm law enforcement. Not on my watch.”

The charges come just weeks after President Donald Trump formally designated Antifa as a terrorist organization, a move that signaled a tougher federal stance on far-left extremist activity and paved the way for prosecutors to pursue terrorism-related charges against its alleged members.

In a post on Truth Social, President Donald Trump wrote, “I am also strongly recommending that those funding ANTIFA be investigated in accordance with the highest legal standards and practices.”

Antifa gained national notoriety during the summer of 2020, when its members were linked to widespread unrest and violent demonstrations in cities such as Portland, Seattle, and Minneapolis.

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