9 Accused of Antifa Ties After a Violent ICE Protest Begin Trial in Texas

During opening statements in the federal trial over the July 4 attack on the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, defense attorney Patrick J. McLain rejected prosecutors’ claims of an organized antifa “cell,” telling jurors his clients “were there to bring hope for the detainees” and noting that no one in their group chats even used the term antifa. McLain’s remarks framed the defendants as left-leaning protesters rather than members of a coordinated terrorist enterprise, directly challenging the government’s broader effort to portray antifa as a structured, violent organization.

It's week 2 of the Prairieland ICE detention center shooting trial. Here’s what we’ve learned so far

In the federal trial over the July 4 shooting near the Prairieland ICE Detention Center, defense attorney Patrick McLain aggressively challenged the government’s characterization of evidence, eliciting testimony that nothing in his client Zachary Evetts’ car encouraged illegal activity and underscoring that there’s no evidence of a structured “antifa cell,” pushing back on prosecutors’ narrative and reframing the items found as lawful rather than incriminating.

Judge declares mistrial for 9 people arrested in connection with July 'ambush' of North Texas ICE facility

In the federal case over the July 4 ambush and shooting outside the Prairieland ICE detention facility in Alvarado, attorney Patrick McLain — representing defendant Zachary Evetts — has repeatedly challenged the government’s charges, saying he’s “seen zero basis” in the evidence for terrorism allegations and asserting his client wasn’t part of any organized “North Texas Antifa Cell” before entering not‑guilty pleas.

Judge declares mistrial in Texas ‘antifa’ protest case over attorney’s T-shirt

In the federal Prairieland ICE shooting mistrial, attorney Patrick McLain and his defense team were set to go to trial when the proceedings were abruptly halted after co-counsel MarQuetta Clayton wore a shirt depicting civil rights leaders, which Judge Mark Pittman said could bias jurors. McLain’s team, prepared to represent their client, objected to the mistrial, emphasizing that any potential bias could have been addressed during jury selection.

Judge declares mistrial in Prairieland ICE shooting trial over lawyer's 'politically charged' shirt

In the federal Prairieland ICE shooting case mistrial, Evetts’ lead attorney Patrick McLain sharply criticized the judge’s decision to halt proceedings over a colleague’s politically themed shirt, saying, “I’m extremely disappointed that an action was taken that was merited neither by the facts nor the law,” and adding that his team is “prepared to go to trial Monday to seek acquittal of our client.

Judge declares mistrial in Prairieland ICE shooting trial over lawyer’s ‘politically charged’ shirt

In the federal Prairieland ICE shooting case mistrial, lead defense attorney Patrick McLain criticized the judge’s decision to end proceedings over a colleague’s shirt as unwarranted, saying, “I’m extremely disappointed that an action was taken that was merited neither by the facts nor the law,” while adding that his team is “prepared to go to trial Monday to seek acquittal of our client.”

Veterans corner radio podcast: Patrick J. McLain, Major, United States Marine Corps, Retired

Attorney Patrick McLain is featured discussing his distinguished career, sharing firsthand insights from his service as a U.S. Marine Corps communications officer during the Cold War and his later work in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps. In the interview, McLain reflects on his transition from military service to law school and highlights how his extensive legal and leadership experience ultimately led him to establish his own law practice.

Experts doubt the Pentagon can punish Kelly over the 'illegal orders' video

WATCH: ‘I am not going to be silenced.’ Sen. Kelly denounces ‘bullying’ by Trump, Hegseth

In the PBS-NewsHour article, criminal-defense attorney Patrick McLain calls the attempt to punish Mark Kelly “the kind of … wackadoodle thing” — arguing that trying to court-martial him over a video urging troops to refuse “illegal orders” amounts to punishing him for “essentially exercising his First Amendment right to free speech.”

Experts doubt the Pentagon can punish Kelly over the 'illegal orders' video

In the article, attorney Patrick McLain — a retired Marine Corps judge and former federal prosecutor — argued the push to court-martial Mark Kelly over a video urging troops to disobey “illegal orders” was baseless, noting that it seemed more about punishing protected free speech than enforcing legitimate military law.

Doubts Raised Over Mark Kelly’s Illegal Orders Punishment

In the article, former Marine-Corps judge and ex-federal prosecutor Patrick McLain calls the effort to punish Mark Kelly over the video urging troops to refuse “illegal orders” “a wackadoodle thing,” arguing it would amount to penalizing Kelly for “essentially exercising his First Amendment right to free speech.”

Experts doubt the Pentagon can punish Kelly over the ‘illegal orders’ video

Attorney Patrick McLain — a retired Marine Corps judge and former federal prosecutor — said this case seems like a “wackadoodle thing,” arguing the effort to punish Mark Kelly for the video is unprecedented and looks like retaliation against “essentially exercising his First Amendment right to free speech.”

Experts doubt the Pentagon can punish Sen. Mark Kelly over the ‘illegal orders' video

The Ghislaine Maxwell Emails

In the article, criminal-defense attorney Patrick McLain comments that the level of access and personal attention Ghislaine Maxwell reportedly received from the prison warden at the minimum-security facility in Texas is “a rare occurrence,” likening it to “the head of a large corporation … regularly having contact with people on the assembly line.”

Ghislaine Maxwell's prison emails show she is 'happier' at minimum-security Texas facility

In the article, attorney Patrick McLain publicly commented on the retaliation of inmate Julie Howell—stating, “Nobody’s going to say anything about Ghislaine Maxwell now.” He also notes that it is “a rare occurrence” for a person with Maxwell’s background to be moved into such a minimum-security facility, suggesting that her transfer defies standard procedures.

‘This is fantastic!’ Ghislaine Maxwell gushes over special treatment in prison

In the article, criminal defense attorney Patrick McLain, who has represented women at the same Texas prison, told NBC News that the level of access and assistance Ghislaine Maxwell reportedly received from the prison warden was “a rare occurrence.” McLain compared it to “the head of a large corporation... regularly having contact with people on the assembly line,” underscoring how unusual her treatment appeared within the federal prison system.

Suspects in Texas ICE shooting tied to trans, anti-fascist activism

Attorney Patrick J. McLain, who defended one of the defendants in the Alvarado case, emphasized his client’s lack of intent to carry out terrorism and highlighted the attorney’s own 20-year military background when stating, “I’m offended [by the terrorism charges] as a guy who participated in the War on Terror. They weren’t out there to hurt anybody, with the exception of whoever was shooting at people.”

US prosecutors bring first antifa terrorism charges in Texas police shooting case

In the Reuters article, attorney Patrick McLain, representing defendant Zachary Evetts, emphasized his client’s innocence, stating, “I have seen no evidence from the prosecutors to support any of the charges,” and criticized the new terrorism counts as politically driven.

2 arrested in Texas immigration detention center shooting now face terrorism-related charges

In the article, defense attorney Patrick McLain, representing one of the defendants, stated he has seen “zero basis” for the charges against his client.

'Antifa-aligned' men face terrorism charges in July ICE attack, FBI director says

In the landmark federal terrorism indictment stemming from a July 4 attack on a Texas immigration facility, Patrick McLain — representing defendant Zachary Evetts — argued that “nowhere in the communications … do we see anyone agree to doing something that is either a display of violence or actual violence,” and asserted he’s “seen zero basis” for the terrorism charges.

First federal indictments made in connection with Alvarado ICE detention center shooting

McLain, representing defendant Zachary Evetts, argued that his client “was exercising his First Amendment rights while protesting … and there’s no evidence he fired shots.” He further criticized what he called “political pressures … on U.S. attorneys… to pursue charges that… would not see the light of a courtroom because more prudent and balanced leaders … would prevent those things from happening.”

DOJ brings first Antifa-related terrorism charges in Texas ICE attack