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groundloop

(13,271 posts)
Tue Sep 2, 2025, 08:04 AM Sep 2

Alarm after FBI arrests US army veteran for 'conspiracy' over protest against Ice

Source: The Guardian

The arrest of a US army veteran who protested against the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown has raised alarms among legal experts and fellow veterans familiar with his service in Afghanistan.

Bajun Mavalwalla II – a former army sergeant who survived a roadside bomb blast on a special operations mission in Afghanistan – was charged in July with “conspiracy to impede or injure officers” after joining a demonstration against federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) in Spokane, Washington.

Legal experts say the case marks an escalation in the administration’s attacks on first amendment rights. Afghanistan war veterans who know him say the case against Mavalwalla appears unjust.

“Here’s a guy who held a top secret clearance and was privy to some of the most sensitive information we have, who served in a combat zone,” said Kenneth Koop, a retired colonel who trained the Afghan military and police during Mavalwalla’s deployment. “To see him treated like this really sticks in my craw.”

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/sep/02/fbi-arrest-us-army-veteran-ice-protest

17 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Alarm after FBI arrests US army veteran for 'conspiracy' over protest against Ice (Original Post) groundloop Sep 2 OP
The G.O.P. Fascist Gestapo is profoundly unAmerican BoRaGard Sep 2 #1
The GQP Fascist Ice-stapo. That's what I called them. n/t aggiesal Sep 2 #11
I understand the director of the FBI is a highly corrupt individual, but people at the FBI should know, and understand, Escurumbele Sep 2 #12
"Afghanistan war veterans who know him say the case against Mavalwalla appears unjust." OldBaldy1701E Sep 2 #2
We all know why this is happening FakeNoose Sep 2 #6
Yep. OldBaldy1701E Sep 2 #17
So when you peacefully protest, it's best not to coordinate with anyone. surfered Sep 2 #3
But yet their loyalty to the country makes them obey Trump. Lemmings. twodogsbarking Sep 2 #4
He doesn't sound like a lemming. 58Sunliner Sep 2 #7
I was referencing his attackers. twodogsbarking Sep 2 #8
Sorry. It's hard sometimes to know the context of insults on these threads. 58Sunliner Sep 2 #9
I am often misunderstood. Either way this shouldn't be and military people shoudn't be forced twodogsbarking Sep 2 #10
I don't think it is their loyalty, it is the fear of loosing a job, it is the lack of real patriotism, lack of Escurumbele Sep 2 #13
A slippery slope. Not in their shoes, thankfully. twodogsbarking Sep 2 #14
We're in a danger zone here. Fascist red lights blinking wildly. Joinfortmill Sep 2 #5
Conspiracy? Bullshit! Freedom of speech is essential in a healthy democracy. Martin68 Sep 2 #15
Bajun Mavalwalla II ?? progressoid Sep 2 #16

Escurumbele

(3,896 posts)
12. I understand the director of the FBI is a highly corrupt individual, but people at the FBI should know, and understand,
Tue Sep 2, 2025, 10:43 AM
Sep 2

these arrests are the result of vengeance and they are illegal, they should have enough principles to not follow those orders.

When people value a job more than they value their principles, their dignity to allow themselves to carry out orders they fully understand are wrong, they do not deserve to be in those positions. I really hope that if/when Democrats take power that all these people will be made accountable of their actions, this cannot be allowed to be forgotten, excused, and least of all swapped under the rug. Democracy in the USA will never be back if the criminals in today's administration are allowed to go free after so much damage and criminality, that is what happens in banana countries, it should never happen in the USA if the USA wants to become a leader of the free World again. Without accountability the USA is no better than corrupt countries like Russia, North Korea, Venezuela, and others where corruption is the norm.

OldBaldy1701E

(9,043 posts)
2. "Afghanistan war veterans who know him say the case against Mavalwalla appears unjust."
Tue Sep 2, 2025, 08:31 AM
Sep 2

Well, you guys are the military...

Do something about it.

(You could, ya know.)

FakeNoose

(38,627 posts)
6. We all know why this is happening
Tue Sep 2, 2025, 09:21 AM
Sep 2

This guy has a foreign-sounding name. That's the only reason.

The fact that he served a tour in Afghanistan in combat is irrelevant. The fact that he has the highest security clearance (meaning that he was already cleared by the FBI) is irrelevant. The fact that he's a US citizen BY BIRTH is irrelevant.

The only relevant fact is that his name sounds "foreign. "

The horror! How dare he or any foreigner protest against ICE?! How dare he disagree with Kristi Noem?
I'm sure that a good defense lawyer will get this case dropped, but it's just a slap in the face.

OldBaldy1701E

(9,043 posts)
17. Yep.
Tue Sep 2, 2025, 11:23 PM
Sep 2

I think it was a double slap to ICE Barbie's figurative face in that the gentleman is in the military.

Remember, in the fever-dream delusions of the rethugs, anyone in the military would automatically do whatever Dear Leader wants, because he is the President.

To dare to question or protest anything he does is tantamount to treason in their eyes. It is hysterical that what he did is more in line with American values than being a mindless drone.

I guess those fascists don't know that.

surfered

(9,204 posts)
3. So when you peacefully protest, it's best not to coordinate with anyone.
Tue Sep 2, 2025, 08:31 AM
Sep 2

Our Dear Leader and his collaborators will charge you with conspiracy to interfere with his dictates.

twodogsbarking

(15,741 posts)
10. I am often misunderstood. Either way this shouldn't be and military people shoudn't be forced
Tue Sep 2, 2025, 10:16 AM
Sep 2

to perform the dirty work for a fascist regime, but they are.

Escurumbele

(3,896 posts)
13. I don't think it is their loyalty, it is the fear of loosing a job, it is the lack of real patriotism, lack of
Tue Sep 2, 2025, 10:48 AM
Sep 2

principles, dignity, and respect for themselves. When people engage in corrupt actions they don't value themselves, they have no respect for themselves.

It is also the lack of loyalty to their country, they know that what they are doing is wrong.

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