Marking a notable achievement in the Trump administration’s efforts against illegal immigration and organized crime, the FBI, under the leadership of Kash Patel, initiated a substantial counteroffensive against the Tren de Aragua cartel (TDA). The announcement of 16 gang members’ arrests was made on social media, which elicited a tremendous online response.
For context, TdA is a violent criminal organization that was recently classified as a terrorist group by the Trump administration. The gang gained significant media attention when progressive Judge James Boasberg attempted to prevent President Trump from deporting TdA members by invoking the Alien Enemy Act, which initiated a considerable legal battle.
In any event, a well-known conservative influencer took to social media on July 2, 2025, to share the news. The post stated, “🚨 JUST IN: The LARGEST-EVER anti-Tren [de Aragua] takedown operation has just been executed by the FBI under Kash Patel and Dan Bongino.”
Furthermore, the user remarked, “This is monumental. Several of them allegedly participated in a MASS SHO*TING.” Bongino stated, “When we informed you that we were targeting violent crime this summer and beyond, we were not joking.” In a single operation, the FBI apprehended 16 anti-Tren members in Texas, according to Fox.
Concluding the viral post, the influencer mentioned, “‘These individuals are accused of engaging in a turf conflict with TdA members and committing numerous violent offenses throughout our city, including a mass sho*ting at a local sports bar that resulted in six injuries,’ stated Houston Special Agent in Charge Douglas Williams.”
In the comments section of this post, conservatives commended the FBI’s decisive measures. One comment read, “The FBI’s takedown of [Tren de Aragua] demonstrates that federal law enforcement is finally prioritizing action over bureaucracy. Sixteen arrests—including foreign nationals residing here illegally—highlight the deadly repercussions of unregulated border chaos. These criminals trafficked cocaine, weapons, and terrorized Houston with a mass shooting.
Expanding on this topic, the same user remarked, “While the arrests represent a victory, the fundamental concern lies in how these transnational gangs managed to infiltrate our cities initially. Operation Take Back America must eradicate every source of this decay: secure the border, deport criminal aliens, and dismantle cartel networks,” stating, “Every firearm seized and kilo confiscated serves as a reminder that weakness invites violence. Support the agents, but insist on accountability for the systems that permitted this invasion.”
In agreement with this statement, another response highlighted, “The FBI’s extensive takedown of 16 [TdA] gang members in Texas is a pivotal moment! Under the leadership of Kash Patel and Dan Bongino, they are fulfilling their commitment to combat violent crime, apprehending suspects linked to a mass shooting at a Houston sports bar. Keep up the excellent work, FBI! 🔥”
Some users contended that politicians who facilitated the entry of TdA members into the country should be prosecuted. One comment reflecting this sentiment stated, “That’s fantastic! Now, can they arrest the corrupt Democratic House and Senate officials who have been promoting violence and defending illegal aliens?” In agreement, another user added, “Did they pursue the instigators who motivated these actions in the first place? Because they ought to be addressing the issue from its roots and disarming the attack dog, rather than merely following the trails. Right @FBIDDBongino @Kash_Patel @FBIDirectorKash?