Federal prosecutors described the operation as a carefully orchestrated ambush targeting both federal agents and local law enforcement. Authorities said members of the group arrived equipped with firearms, explosives, masks, black tactical clothing, and medical gear typically associated with combat operations.
Despite the convictions and evidence presented during trial, Tlaib blasted the sentences shortly after they were announced.
“These sentences are a travesty and totally unjustified, but that’s the point,” the congresswoman posted online.
She then escalated her criticism by attacking President Donald Trump’s administration.
“Americans hate the fascist Trump regime, so the only way they can try to cling to power is brute force.”
Tlaib also condemned National Security Presidential Memorandum 7, a directive signed by President Trump following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The memorandum formally designated antifa as a domestic terrorist organization.
“NSPM-7 is a grave threat to all of us and more bulls— ‘terrorism’ charges like these are coming,” Tlaib added.
Her remarks immediately ignited outrage among conservatives, law enforcement supporters, and senior administration officials who viewed her comments as a defense of violent political extremists.
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller was among the first to respond.
“Defending antifa terrorists who tried to massacre state and federal law enforcement is unacceptable from a member of Congress,” Miller wrote.
Journalist Andy Ngo, whose reporting has extensively documented violent antifa activity across the country, also blasted the congresswoman’s comments.
“They were proven at court to be part of a terrorist antifa cell that trained for and planned violence using firearms,” Ngo wrote.
According to Ngo, the evidence presented during the trial left little doubt about the group’s intentions.
“They used large explosives to lure out federal agents and police before shooting one in the neck,” he added.
Ngo further pointed to testimony from former members of the group who cooperated with prosecutors.
“The trial featured key testimonies from five cell members who flipped, detailing how they organized behind the antifa ideology,” Ngo wrote.
He concluded with a stinging rebuke directed at Tlaib.
“Congresswoman, I know you must be very upset that these terrorists you are sympathetic to didn’t get away with it this time.”
Conservative commentator Kurt Schlichter offered an even more direct response.
“Counterpoint: Her friends shot a cop,” he wrote.
Court records revealed disturbing details about the attack itself.
Prosecutors said members of the group first vandalized surveillance cameras and launched fireworks toward the detention facility in an effort to provoke a response. Once officers arrived, the situation quickly escalated into gunfire.
Authorities said Song shouted, “Get to the rifles!” as law enforcement officers approached the scene.
Moments later, Lt. Gross was shot.
Body camera footage introduced during the trial captured portions of the confrontation and helped prosecutors establish that the attack had been planned in advance rather than emerging spontaneously.
Federal officials emphasized that the actions of the group went far beyond political protest.
“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 after sentencing.
“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.”
Defense attorneys attempted to argue that Song fired in self-defense and characterized his actions as “suppressive fire.” U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman rejected that argument and ultimately imposed the maximum sentence available under federal law.
Family members of several convicted defendants have continued to argue that the penalties were excessive, insisting the group never intended for anyone to be harmed.
Nevertheless, prosecutors maintained that the evidence demonstrated a deliberate effort to lure law enforcement officers into a deadly trap.
The case has become one of the most significant terrorism prosecutions involving alleged antifa members and is widely viewed as the first major test of the Trump administration’s designation of the movement as a domestic terrorist organization.
As criticism continues to mount, Tlaib has yet to offer additional clarification regarding her comments or address accusations that she appeared to side with individuals convicted of shooting a police officer during a politically motivated attack.
