Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced on Tuesday that he is launching an undercover operation to “infiltrate and uproot leftist terror cells” in the Lone Star State.
The announcement follows recent Antifa actions against ICE agents in the state. In a press release, Paxton’s office indicated that the undercover operation is a response “to the political assassination of national hero Charlie Kirk and the disturbing rise of leftist violence across the country.”
“Leftist political terrorism is a clear and present danger. Corrupted ideologies like transgenderism and Antifa are a cancer on our culture and have unleashed their deranged and drugged-up foot soldiers on the American people,” Paxton said. “The martyrdom of Charlie Kirk marks a turning point in America. There can be no compromise with those who want us dead.
“To that end, I have directed my office to continue its efforts to identify, investigate, and infiltrate these leftist terror cells. To those demented souls who seek to kill, steal, and destroy our country, know this: you cannot hide, you cannot escape, and justice is coming,” Paxton added.
In September, President Donald Trump signed an executive order designating Antifa as a domestic terrorist organization in response to a series of violent incidents linked to the group, a move that came shortly after the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
Paxton said the newly announced Texas operation is “building on President Trump’s bold actions.”
BREAKING: I'm launching undercover operations to infiltrate and uproot leftist terror cells in Texas.
Leftist political terrorism is a clear and present danger. There can be no compromise with those who want us dead. pic.twitter.com/jWorzQ6fRP
— Attorney General Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) October 7, 2025
Nine defendants are facing federal charges in connection with a July 4 ambush attack on an ICE detention center in Alvarado, Texas, that authorities say was carried out by members of Antifa.
According to investigators, the group planned and executed the assault, during which one suspect used a knife to damage vehicles while others spray-painted property and set off fireworks at the facility, prompting a law enforcement response.
During the confrontation, Benjamin Song allegedly fired 11 rounds at responding officers, striking one officer in the neck. The wounded officer has since recovered, officials said.
Investigators found that the members of the group sent messages using Signal stating “blue lives don’t matter” and “send projectiles over the yellow vests.”
Antifa-aligned activists have also been accused of attacking individuals protesting drag shows for children, including pepper-spraying demonstrators who spoke out against what they described as sexually inappropriate performances for minors.
The group — a loosely organized movement united by far-left, anti-establishment ideology — rose to national prominence following Trump’s election in 2016. Since then, its members have been linked to violent confrontations at Trump rallies and other conservative gatherings, actions they claim are part of their effort to “fight fascism” — by acting like real fascists.
It’s unclear how effective it is to publicly announce undercover operations targeting Antifa and other violent left-wing groups, but what’s not in doubt is that individuals who embrace Antifa’s ideology pose a real threat to public safety.
In many instances, members of the movement appear to act with little consequence—particularly in cities such as Portland, Oregon, where law enforcement has often been criticized for taking a hands-off approach as Antifa activists engage in harassment, vandalism, and violence against civilians.
