SAN MARCOS, Texas — A Texas jury recently reached a verdict in a high-profile civil case involving an incident from the 2020 election campaign where a group of pro-Trump activists intercepted a Joe Biden campaign bus. The incident, which occurred on Interstate 35, involved a caravan known as the “Trump train” that courted controversy through its aggressive behavior.
The jury found Eliazar Cisneros liable for conspiring to intimidate and disrupt the Biden campaign, ordering him to pay $40,000 in damages. However, his co-defendants Stephen and Randi Ceh, Joeylynn and Robert Mesaros, and Dolores Park were acquitted of any wrongdoing.
This case, stemming from accusations by occupants of the Biden bus, alleged violations of both state laws and the Ku Klux Klan Act, a federal law originally crafted to combat white supremacist violence. While the majority of defendants were absolved, the judgement against Cisneros marks a pivotal application of this federal law in a modern context, reflecting its use amid America’s charged political climate.
The incident from nearly four years ago gained national attention due to its dramatic nature, as video footage showed approximately three dozen vehicles maneuvering around the Biden bus, ostensibly slowing its progress along the highway. The confrontation led to the cancellation of three campaign events planned in the area.
The legal team for the Biden staff and volunteers on the bus characterized the event as a clear act of political violence. Former Democratic state senator Wendy Davis and other passengers pursued the case, resulting in this final court ruling.
The defendants, while acknowledging their part in the Trump train, vehemently denied any premeditation or intent to endanger the individuals on the Biden bus. However, evidence presented during the trial indicated that Cisneros had played a significant role in orchestrating the bus’s interception.
Speaking outside the courtroom, co-defendant Joeylynn Mesaros expressed relief at the verdict, describing the legal ordeal as akin to being “zoo animals in a cage.” She stressed the desire to return to normalcy after years of public scrutiny and legal battles.
The plaintiffs, including bus driver Timothy Holloway, who directly received $10,000 of the damages, expressed a sense of justice served, highlighting the importance of accountability in political activities.
The ruling is also notable as it underscores the evolving use of the Ku Klux Klan Act. This federal statute has seen renewed application as prosecutors aim to address and deter acts of political intimidation and violence in a deeply polarized nation.
In addition to the court proceedings, there has been a financial settlement from the city of San Marcos which paid $175,000 to the plaintiffs last year. This settlement addressed complaints that local law enforcement did not adequately respond to the campaign’s calls for help during the incident.
An attorney for Cisneros stated plans to appeal the decision, indicating that the legal repercussions of the 2020 highway confrontation may continue to unfold.
The outcome of this case serves as a significant reminder of the legal boundaries governing political expression and engagement, especially in an era of increasing tensions and partisan divides across the United States.