Prosecution and Defense Rest in Trial of Alleged Texas Antifa Cell

Closing arguments set for March 11 in landmark domestic terrorism case

Mar. 11, 2026 at 2:38am

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The prosecution and defense have both rested their cases in a high-profile trial against an alleged Antifa cell in Texas accused of launching a coordinated attack on an ICE facility in 2025. The defense declined to present a case after the prosecution rested its case, which included testimony from a terrorism expert.

Why it matters

This trial is seen as a landmark case in the government's efforts to designate Antifa as an operational terrorist organization, rather than just an ideology. The outcome could have significant legal and political implications.

The details

The trial, now in its third week at the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas in Fort Worth, alleges that an Antifa cell attacked the Prairieland Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility housing illegal immigrants outside Dallas on July 4, 2025. The prosecution's case included testimony from a terrorism expert to bolster the government's argument that Antifa is an operational group, not just an ideology, as the defense had claimed.

  • The trial began in late February 2026.
  • The prosecution rested its case on Tuesday.
  • Closing arguments are set for March 11, 2026.

The players

Antifa cell

A group of nine defendants accused of launching a coordinated attack on an ICE facility in Texas.

U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas

The federal court where the trial is taking place in Fort Worth, Texas.

Prairieland Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility

The facility outside Dallas that was allegedly attacked by the Antifa cell.

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What’s next

Closing arguments in the trial are scheduled for March 11, 2026, which will set the stage for the jury to begin deliberations and reach a verdict.

The takeaway

This high-profile trial is seen as a crucial test case in the government's efforts to legally designate Antifa as a terrorist organization, with significant implications for how domestic extremism is addressed in the United States.