What was supposed to be the opening chapter of a historic federal terrorism trial unraveled almost immediately in a Texas courtroom Tuesday — and it all started with a T-shirt. On the first day of jury selection in a high-profile case involving nine alleged members of an “Antifa cell,” Trump-appointed U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman abruptly declared a mistrial.
The reason? A defense attorney’s “politically charged” shirt featuring images of civil rights icon Shirley Chisholm and other prominent figures from the civil rights movement.
According to reports from KERA and journalist Andy Ngo, Pittman ruled that the shirt could unfairly influence the jury pool by drawing implicit comparisons between the defendants and historic civil rights leaders. The judge reportedly questioned the appropriateness of the wardrobe choice in open court.
“I don’t know why in the world you would think that’s appropriate,” Pittman told defense attorney MarQuetta Clayton, according to Newsweek. He indicated the shirt risked prejudicing jurors by suggesting the defendants’ alleged actions were aligned with historic struggles for justice.
Clayton, who represents defendant Maricela Rueda, declined to comment in detail when contacted by the Daily Caller News Foundation. She stated she would not speak publicly “ahead of finishing this trial and the show cause hearing being set regarding the same,” but added that she looks forward to addressing the matter later.
The mistrial marks a turbulent beginning for what federal prosecutors describe as their first terrorism case targeting alleged Antifa members. Seven individuals connected to the broader group have already pleaded guilty to crimes supporting what authorities characterize as an anti-government mission.
Prosecutors allege the nine defendants organized a July 2025 protest outside an immigration facility in Alvarado, Texas. According to the Department of Justice, individuals dressed in black clothing arrived at the scene, vandalized the ICE building with graffiti, launched fireworks, and ultimately opened fire on law enforcement officers. One local police officer was nearly killed during the confrontation.
Investigators later uncovered “Insurrectionary Anarchy” materials inside a Denton, Texas, apartment linked to one of the defendants. The incident triggered an eleven-day manhunt for alleged ringleader Benjamin Song, who was eventually captured and is now expected to testify in his own defense. Authorities also brought additional federal and state charges against individuals accused of hiding Song or concealing evidence from law enforcement.
Complicating matters further, potential jurors reportedly voiced strong opinions about Immigration and Customs Enforcement and President Donald Trump during questioning. Those reactions added another layer of tension to a case already steeped in political controversy.
Now, with a mistrial declared before opening statements even began, the prosecution’s landmark terrorism case faces a reset — and renewed scrutiny — as it heads back to square one.
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