Tlaib defends antifa members convicted in shooting of Texas cop, calls sentences a 'travesty'
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Video DOJ charges 15 anti-ICE suspects linked to Antifa in Minnesota
The Department of Justice announces charges against 15 anti-ICE activists in Minnesota, citing their alleged ties to Antifa and involvement in organizing violent demonstrations. Federal prosecutors detail how these individuals allegedly supplied and trained members.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., sparked fierce backlash after her apparent defense of accused antifa cell members sentenced to decades in prison for a violent attack on a Texas immigration facility that federal prosecutors called an act of terrorism.
One of the defendants, Benjamin Song, a former Marine Corps reservist, was handed a 100-year prison sentence — the maximum punishment — Tuesday after being convicted of attempted murder for shooting Alvarado Police Lt. Thomas Gross, who survived a bullet to the neck.
Seven other members of the alleged North Texas antifa cell were given sentences spanning 30 to 70 years for charges such as providing material support to terrorists, conspiracy to use weapons and explosives, and rioting.
"These sentences are a travesty and totally unjustified, but that's the point," Tlaib, a progressive lawmaker associated with "the Squad," wrote on social media. "Americans hate the fascist Trump regime, so the only way they can try to cling to power is brute force."
Rep. Rashida Tlaib, a Democrat from Michigan, sharply criticized lengthy sentences given to alleged antifa rioters — a combined 450 years — after they were convicted on terrorism charges for participating in a violent riot outside a Texas immigration detention facility. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Tlaib sharply criticized a 2025 document, known as the National Security Presidential Memo 7, that President Donald Trump released in the wake of conservative activist Charlie Kirk's assassination and that classified antifa as a "domestic terrorist organization."
The Texas trial was the first time federal prosecutors successfully brought terrorism charges against alleged members of the far-left antifascist movement following the memo and an executive order associating the militant group with domestic terrorism.
"NSPM-7 is a grave threat to all of us and more bulls--- ‘terrorism’ charges like these are coming," she added.
The comments sparked sharp criticism from conservatives, who argued Tlaib appeared to excuse the behavior of the violent rioters.
"Counterpoint: Her friends shot a cop," conservative columnist Kurt Schlichter wrote on social media.
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller fired back at Tlaib for "defending antifa terrorists who tried to massacre state and federal law enforcement" as a member of Congress.
The Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, Texas, was attacked in July 2025 by members of antifa, federal prosecutors said. (Justice Department)
ANTIFA MEMBERS INDICTED IN TEXAS ICE FACILITY RIOT, ATTEMPTED MURDER OF OFFICER
"They were proven at court to be part of a terrorist antifa cell that trained for and planned violence using firearms," journalist Andy Ngo wrote. "They used large explosives to lure out federal agents and police before shooting one in the neck. The trial featured key testimonies from five cell members who flipped, detailing how they organized behind the antifa ideology."
"Congresswoman, I know you must be very upset that these terrorists you are sympathetic to didn’t get away with it this time," Ngo added.
According to evidence presented at trial, the defendants arrived at the facility on the evening of July 4, 2025, with firearms and military-grade first aid kits while dressed in dark clothing and face coverings to conceal their identities. The group then began to vandalize property, including a security camera, while launching fireworks at the immigration detention center, according to prosecutors.
When officers inside the facility called 911, Gross, the Alvarado police officer, responded to the premeditated attack, federal prosecutors said. According to police footage presented at the trial, Song was heard yelling, "Get to the rifles!"
He then opened fire on Gross, who testified during the trial that a bullet traversed his shoulder and neck.
"Their terrorist acts, attempted murder, vandalism, and explosives launched at a detention facility were a far cry from a peaceful protest or First Amendment expression," U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould for the Northern District of Texas said in a statement Tuesday. "We will continue in this mission to hold others accountable who perpetrate such violence and fund these ANTIFA groups in the Northern District of Texas."
Benjamin Song was convicted of attempted murder for shooting Alvarado Police Lt. Thomas Gross, who survived a bullet that passed through his shoulder and neck. (Mark David Smith/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
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Counsel for Song argued that he shot Gross in self-defense, calling the bullet "suppressive fire," which Judge Mark Pittman, who oversaw the trial, categorically dismissed. Relatives of the convicted defendants argued the decades-long sentences were overly harsh and that they did not intend for any violence to occur.
A spokesperson for Tlaib did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
