Current:Home > reviewsA ‘Trump Train’ convoy surrounded a Biden-Harris bus. Was it political violence? -AssetPath
A ‘Trump Train’ convoy surrounded a Biden-Harris bus. Was it political violence?
View
Date:2025-04-13 04:41:56
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A Texas jury will soon decide whether a convoy of supporters of then-President Donald Trump violently intimidated former Democratic lawmaker Wendy Davis and two others on a Biden-Harris campaign bus when a so-called “Trump Train” boxed them in for more than an hour on a Texas highway days before the 2020 election.
The trial, which began on Sept. 9, resumes Monday and is expected to last another week.
Attorneys for the plaintiffs argued that six of the Trump Train drivers violated state and federal law. Lawyers for the defendants said they did not conspire against the Democrats on the bus and that their actions are protected speech.
Here’s what else to know:
What happened on Oct. 30, 2020?
Dozens of cars and trucks organized by a local Trump Train group swarmed the bus on its way from San Antonio to Austin. It was the last day of early voting in Texas for the 2020 general election, and the bus was scheduled to make a stop in San Marcos for an event at Texas State University.
Video recorded by Davis shows pickup trucks with large Trump flags aggressively slowing down and boxing in the bus as it tried to move away from the Trump Train. One defendant hit a campaign volunteer’s car while the trucks occupied all lanes of traffic, slowing the bus and everyone around it to a 15 mph crawl.
Those on the bus — including Davis, a campaign staffer and the driver — repeatedly called 911 asking for help and a police escort through San Marcos, but when no law enforcement arrived, the campaign canceled the event and pushed forward to Austin.
San Marcos settled a separate lawsuit filed by the same three Democrats against the police, agreeing to pay $175,000 and mandate political violence training for law enforcement.
Davis testified that she felt she was being “taken hostage” and has sought treatment for anxiety.
In the days leading up to the event, Democrats were also intimidated, harassed and received death threats, the lawsuit said.
“I feel like they were enjoying making us afraid,” Davis testified. “It’s traumatic for all of us to revisit that day.”
What’s the plaintiffs’ argument?
In opening statements, an attorney for the plaintiffs said convoy organizers targeted the bus in a calculated attack to intimidate the Democrats in violation of the “Ku Klux Klan Act,” an 1871 federal law that bans political violence and intimidation.
“We’re here because of actions that put people’s lives in danger,” said Samuel Hall, an attorney with the law firm Willkie Farr & Gallagher. The plaintiffs, he said, were “literally driven out of town by a swarm of trucks.”
The six Trump Train drivers succeeded in making the campaign cancel its remaining events in Texas in a war they believed was “between good and evil,” Hall said.
Two nonprofit advocacy groups, Texas Civil Rights Project and Protect Democracy, also are representing the three plaintiffs.
What’s the defense’s argument?
Attorneys for the defendants, who are accused of driving and organizing the convoy, said they did not conspire to swarm the Democrats on the bus, which could have exited the highway at any point.
“This was a political rally. This was not some conspiracy to intimidate people,” said attorney Jason Greaves, who is representing two of the drivers.
The defense also argued that their clients’ actions were protected speech and that the trial is a concerted effort to “drain conservatives of their money,” according to Francisco Canseco, a lawyer for three of the defendants.
“It was a rah-rah group that sought to support and advocate for a candidate of their choice in a very loud way,” Canseco said during opening statements.
The defense lost a bid last month to have the case ruled in their favor without a trial. The judge wrote that “assaulting, intimidating, or imminently threatening others with force is not protected expression.”
___
Lathan is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
veryGood! (57)
Related
- Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie return for an 'Encore,' reminisce about 'The Simple Life'
- The Real Story Behind Khloe Kardashian and Michele Morrone’s Fashion Show Date
- Shell’s Plastics Plant Outside Pittsburgh Has Suddenly Become a Riskier Bet, a Study Concludes
- Everwood Star Treat Williams’ Final Moments Detailed By Crash Witness Days After Actor’s Death
- Romantasy reigns on spicy BookTok: Recommendations from the internet’s favorite genre
- RHONJ: Teresa Giudice and Joe Gorga Share Final Words Before Vowing to Never Speak Again
- Luke Bryan Defends Katy Perry From Critics After American Idol Backlash
- Heather Rae and Tarek El Moussa's Baby Boy Tristan Undergoes Tongue-Tie Revision
- Have Dry, Sensitive Skin? You Need To Add These Gentle Skincare Products to Your Routine
- Binance was once FTX's rival and possible savior. Now it's trying not to be its sequel
Ranking
- 'As foretold in the prophecy': Elon Musk and internet react as Tesla stock hits $420 all
- Newark ship fire which claimed lives of 2 firefighters expected to burn for several more days
- Q&A: A Pioneer of Environmental Justice Explains Why He Sees Reason for Optimism
- Your Multivitamin Won't Save You
- Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
- Missouri man convicted as a teen of murdering his mother says the real killer is still out there
- Banks’ Vows to Restrict Loans for Arctic Oil and Gas Development May Be Largely Symbolic
- Heather Rae and Tarek El Moussa's Baby Boy Tristan Undergoes Tongue-Tie Revision
Recommendation
Who's hosting 'Saturday Night Live' tonight? Musical guest, how to watch Dec. 14 episode
Hotels say goodbye to daily room cleanings and hello to robots as workers stay scarce
In bad news for true loves, inflation is hitting the 12 Days of Christmas
After a Ticketmaster snafu, Mexico's president asks Bad Bunny to hold a free concert
Charges tied to China weigh on GM in Q4, but profit and revenue top expectations
These $23 Men's Sweatpants Have 35,500+ 5-Star Amazon Reviews
You People Don't Want to Miss New Parents Jonah Hill and Olivia Millar's Sweet PDA Moment
Republican attorneys general issue warning letter to Target about Pride merchandise