Texas jury finds only one ‘Trump Train’ defendant guilty, rejects charges against others

The Texas jury found a man violated the Ku Klux Klan Act during a trial over a “Trump Train” convoy that surrounded a Biden-Harris campaign bus in 2020. The man, Eliazar Cisneros, was ordered to pay $10,000 in compensatory damages and a $30,000 fine in punitive damages. The incident caused severe anxiety and insomnia for the plaintiffs. The jury found Cisneros liable but not his co-defendants. This was the first case where a defendant was found liable under the Klan Act in the modern era. The defendants claimed they were exercising their First Amendment rights to free speech. The trial showcased the strong ties between the defendants’ political beliefs and their Christian faith. The plaintiffs settled with San Marcos over police failing to assist the bus during the incident. The trial dissected the organization and execution of the convoy, leading to the cancellation of campaign stops. The plaintiffs testified to fearing for their lives and experiencing mental health issues. The trial was brought by Protect Democracy, the Texas Civil Rights Project, and Willkie, Farr and Gallagher, LLP. The plaintiffs seek to recover attorneys’ fees, which could exceed $1 million. The defense was represented by high-profile attorneys, including former U.S. Rep. Francisco “Quico” Canseco and Jason Greaves. The verdict was seen as a victory by both sides but will likely be appealed.

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