For the first time ever, federal prosecutors in Texas have filed terrorism charges against individuals aligned with Antifa, marking a significant shift in the U.S. government’s response to the far-left anarchist movement. This comes just weeks after President Donald Trump’s designation of Antifa as a terrorist organization, a move that has been supported by his allies but criticized by some national security experts.
On Wednesday, two Texas men—Cameron Arnold from Dallas and Zachary Evetts from Waxahachie—were charged with providing support to terrorists for their alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting at an immigration detention facility in Alvarado, Texas. Both Arnold and Evetts were arrested in July, along with eight others, on charges of attempted murder and weapons offenses. The shooting took place during a violent attack on the Prairieland ICE facility on July 4th.
The pair are set to enter a plea at a court hearing scheduled for October 22nd. Arnold’s lawyer, Cody Cofer, has said he looks forward to defending his client at trial, while lawyers for Evetts have yet to respond to requests for comment.
FBI Director Kash Patel made the announcement on social media, calling this the first instance of Antifa-aligned anarchist extremists being arrested on terrorism charges. "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 said, a clear signal that the government is now targeting violent groups with more serious legal consequences.
The charges are significant, but it’s important to note that Arnold and Evetts were not charged with supporting a terrorist organization per se, but rather with supporting terrorists in general. The federal indictment claims that the two men were part of an Antifa “cell” that carried out the attack. Prosecutors allege that the group shot fireworks, vandalized cars, and then escalated the violence when one of the co-conspirators allegedly opened fire on officers defending the facility, striking a local police officer in the neck.
While the original charging documents didn’t mention Antifa, the case represents a major step forward in the government’s crackdown on the group. President Trump and his Republican allies have long accused Antifa of being behind political violence, particularly in the wake of the tragic assassination of conservative leader Charlie Kirk. Cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and Portland have seen protests against federal immigration authorities, with many claiming that Antifa has played a central role in these movements.
Trump’s executive order in September officially declared Antifa a terrorist organization, though the move has sparked legal debate. Some experts argue that the designation is questionable since Antifa doesn’t have an official leadership structure or cohesive organization. Regardless, the legal system is now taking direct action, and with terrorism charges on the table, the stakes for Antifa supporters have never been higher.
This case sends a strong message: no group—whether on the left or the right—will be allowed to use violence and terror to further their political agenda. With Antifa now in the crosshairs of federal prosecutors, it’s clear that the Trump administration is committed to confronting this threat head-on. The question remains: will the rest of the country wake up to the very real dangers posed by violent extremists, or will the mainstream media continue to ignore the true nature of the threat? Stay tuned, because this is just the beginning.
