Marking a significant victory in the Trump administration’s battle against illegal immigration and organized crime, the FBI, led by Kash Patel, launched a massive counterattack against the Tren de Aragua cartel (TDA). The arrest of 16 gang members was announced on social media, where it gathered a gigantic online reaction.
For context, TdA is a violent criminal syndicate recently designated as a terrorist organization by the Trump administration. The gang made front page news when woke Judge James Boasberg attempted to halt President Trump from deporting TdA members by invoking the Alien Enemy Act, kicking off a massive legal fight.
In any case, a prominent conservative influencer took to social media on July 2, 2025, to break the news. The post read, “🚨 JUST IN: The LARGEST-EVER anti-Tren [de Aragua] takedown operation has just been carried out by the FBI under Kash Patel and Dan Bongino.”
Continuing, the user added, “This is massive. Several of them reportedly helped carry out a MASS SHO*TING.”When we told you we were coming after violent crime this summer and beyond, we weren’t kidding,” Bongino said. In one go, the FBI arrested 16 anti-Tren members in Texas, per Fox.”
Concluding the viral post, the incluver noted, “‘These individuals are accused of engaging in a turf war with TdA members and carrying out numerous violent crimes throughout our city, including a mass sho*ting at a local sports bar that left six people wounded,’ Houston Special Agent in Charge Douglas Williams said.”
In the comments under this post, conservatives praised the FBI’s decisive action. One such comment said, “The FBI’s takedown of [Tren de Aragua] proves federal law enforcement is finally prioritizing action over bureaucracy. Sixteen arrests—including foreign nationals here illegally—expose the lethal consequences of unchecked border chaos. These thugs trafficked cocaine, weapons, and terrorized Houston with a mass shooting.”
Building on this point, the same user added, “While the arrests are a win, the real issue is how these transnational gangs infiltrated our cities in the first place. Operation Take Back America must dismantle every root of this rot: secure the border, deport criminal aliens, and crush cartel networks,” Stating, “Every firearm seized and kilo confiscated is a reminder that weakness invites violence. Support the agents, but demand accountability for the systems that allowed this invasion.”
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Echoing this comment, another reply noted, “The FBI’s massive takedown of 16 [TdA] gang members in Texas is a game-changer! Under Kash Patel and Dan Bongino, they’re delivering on their promise to crush violent crime, nabbing suspects tied to a mass shooting at a Houston sports bar. Keep it up, FBI! 🔥”
Some users argued that politicians who enabled TdA members to enter the nation should face charges. One comment in this vein said, “That’s great! Now, can they arrest the corrupt Democratic House and Senate officials that have been encouraging violence and defending illegal aliens?” Agreeing, another added, “Did they came after the preparators motivating for these in the first place? Because they should be catching the string from its roots and removing the teeth from the attack dog, not chasing the trails. Right @FBIDDBongino @Kash_Patel @FBIDirectorKash?”