Episode Summary: The Alleged Far-Left Bombing Plot

Podcast: It Could Happen Here
Host(s): Garrison Davis
Date: January 21, 2026
Episode Theme:
This episode examines the high-profile arrest of four individuals allegedly affiliated with a militant far-left group—The Turtle Island Liberation Front—accused of plotting and preparing to bomb several locations in Southern California on New Year’s Eve 2025. Garrison Davis meticulously unpacks the government’s case, the interplay of undercover federal agents and informants, the defendants' operational security methods, and broader skepticism within activist circles regarding the authenticity of both the group and the allegations.

Main Topics & Discussion Breakdown

1. Background and Federal Crackdown (00:06–02:32)

• President Trump’s executive order designated “antifa” as a domestic terrorist organization, prompting federal law enforcement focus on left-wing activism.
• The FBI’s first major action under this directive was arresting four individuals in California, tied to the alleged Turtle Island Liberation Front (TILF).
• TILF described as a “far-left group,” accused of plotting to bomb several targets.
• Garrison provides a brief excerpt from an FBI press conference:

  “This case is another reminder about the dangers that radicalized antifa like groups pose to people, public safety and the rule of law.”
  — First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Asali [01:59]

2. Details of the Criminal Complaint (02:32–09:00)

• Defendants identified by both legal names and “direct action” code names:
  • Audrey Eileen Carroll (Asanak/Black Moon)
  • Zachary Aaron Page (AK Ash Carrington/Cthulhu's daughter)
  • Dante Garfield (Nomad)
  • Tina Lie (Kickware)
• The FBI claims the plan involved assembling, testing, and detonating pipe bombs at five corporate locations, with further plans for graffiti marking and enhanced damage using accelerants.
• Planning involved encrypted communications (Signal), strict OPSEC protocols, and hand-written plans.
• The criminal complaint’s key evidence sources:
  • A confidential human source (CHS), embedded in LA’s activist scene since 2021, financially compensated, with a record of reliability.
  • An undercover FBI agent present at the desert test site.

3. Group Authenticity and Internet Skepticism (09:00–11:40)

• Some on the left expressed skepticism about TILF’s authenticity based on their name, messaging, and sudden social media presence (active only since July 2025).
• The group’s language and iconography resonate with “land back” activists and broader anti-imperialist circles, especially amid U.S. alignment with Israel.
• Despite the group’s newness, at least four real individuals are implicated, with involvement in the LA protest scene.

4. The “Operation Midnight Sun” Plan (11:40–16:13)

• Handwritten by Carroll, deliberately avoiding electronic records for security:

  “…did not want any traces of the attack plan on a computer.”
  — Carroll, as relayed by Garrison [12:40]

• The plan mapped out:
  • Teams of four to plant bombs at five designated “marks.”
  • Use of graffiti—red triangles, slogans—during operations.
  • Enhanced damage via accelerant and detailed bomb construction instructions.
  • Intended for New Year’s Eve:

    “Fireworks will be going off at this time so explosions will be less likely to be noticed as immediately as any normal day.”

• Stressed operational security: burner phones, disposing of devices in concrete bricks, layered disguises, Faraday bags, purchasing materials in cash, digital alibis (streaming movies at home).

5. Weapons, Training, and Escalating Plots (16:13–20:45)

• Meetings continued into December, involving additional co-conspirators and undercover FBI personnel.
• Carroll claims to have secured bomb materials online and through cash purchases.
  • Attributed quote about the operation:

    “What we are about to do, that's gonna be like a Luigi level situation.”
    — Carroll [18:44]

  • “America falling will make Israel fall.”
• Defendants discussed:
  • Acquiring unregistered firearms.
  • Interest in targeting ICE agents and facilities.
  • Intent to get firearms training.
  • Explicit advocacy of violent resistance:

    “I identify as a terrorist and I am a Hamas fangirl.”
    — Carroll, in Signal message [20:00] “If you aren't willing to die for or lose your freedom then you’re just another toy in the machine.”
    — Garfield [21:29]

6. Communication Practices and Radical Language (20:45–23:30)

• Extensive use of Signal encrypted chat, “Order of the Black Lotus,” for radical operations and bomb-part sourcing.
  • Messages openly advocating violence:

    “Death to Israel. Death to the usa. Death to colonizers. Death to settler colonialism.”
    — Page [21:02] “Death to them all. Burn it all down.”
    — Carroll [21:06]

• Defendants attempted digital OPSEC (burner phones wrapped in foil, only emergency communication, erasing messages, instructions on non-traceable navigation apps).
• Self-referential security:

  “Write it down when you have some time, then I’ll delete that message so it’s no in the chat. Lol.”
  — Carroll [22:15] “I kind of had this notebook where I wrote down multiple plans that never happened or got delayed. So it’s like my terrorist diary. LMAO. I have to get rid of that.”
  — Carroll [24:03]

7. The Arrest Operation and Law Enforcement Narrative (23:30–27:10)

• December 12, 2025: Defendants traveled in two vehicles, bringing bomb components for a test run in the Mojave Desert.
• Surveillance (including an overhead FBI plane) observed preparations.
  • Defendants openly discussed the “test” purpose and bomb methodology.
  • Law enforcement moved in after a predetermined signal was given; all arrested without incident.
• FBI press conference excerpt:

  “They had precursor chemicals there … they were going to create these bombs in the desert ... the FBI SWAT team … arrested all four subjects without, without incident.”
  — Akil Davis [25:54]

• Raids on defendants’ homes yielded incriminating documents, including the original “Operation Midnight Sun” plan.

8. National Connections and Broader Federal Response (27:10–28:27)

• A linked arrest in Louisiana: a former Marine, TILF/Order of the Black Lotus member labeled “Dark Witch,” was apprehended with firearms and body armor, suspected of planning an attack on federal authorities (ICE/Border Patrol).

  “Time to recreate Waco, Texas with these fuckers Ice.”
  — Dark Witch, Facebook post [28:10]

9. Legal Status & Outlook

• Three LA defendants have pleaded not guilty; the fourth’s arraignment pending.
• The federal trial is scheduled for late February 2026.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|-------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:59 | Asali (FBI) | “This case is another reminder about the dangers that radicalized antifa like groups pose...” | | 12:40 | Carroll | “…did not want any traces of the attack plan on a computer.” | | 16:17 | Carroll | “What we are about to do that’s gonna be like a Luigi level situation.” | | 20:00 | Carroll | “I identify as a terrorist and I am a Hamas fangirl.” | | 21:29 | Garfield | “If you aren’t willing to die for or lose your freedom then you’re just another toy in the machine.” | | 25:54 | Akil Davis | “...they were going to create these bombs in the desert ... the FBI SWAT team ... arrested all four subjects without, without incident.” | | 24:03 | Carroll | “So it’s like my terrorist diary. LMAO. I have to get rid of that.” | | 28:10 | Dark Witch | “Time to recreate Waco, Texas with these fuckers Ice.” |

Key Takeaways

• Federal Reaction: The TILF case is being held up as a model “antifa crackdown” under new domestic security policies.
• Group Formation and OPSEC: The alleged conspirators employed many amateur and folklore security tactics, from burner phones to strange digital alibis (like streaming movies)—many of which proved ineffective against embedded federal sources.
• Digital & Social Media Evidence: Their radical statements, both in chat and on social media, are being used to frame intent and dangerous ideology in court.
• Informant/Entrapment Questions: Even as informants and undercover agents had a visible hand, genuine participants, powder keg political context, and real planning effort proved central.
• Community Skepticism: The case has caused tension within activist communities, questioning authenticity and federal overreach while reckoning with the very real risks of radicalization and informant penetration.
• Escalation: Beyond property attacks, the group spoke explicitly about targeting federal agents with violence.

Segment Timestamps

• Background and Crackdown: 00:06–02:32
• Complaint Details and Group Profiles: 02:32–09:00
• Skepticism and Group Origins: 09:00–11:40
• Plan Formation (Operation Midnight Sun): 11:40–16:13
• Weapons, Future Plots, and Guns: 16:13–20:45
• Communication Practices: 20:45–23:30
• The Desert Arrest: 23:30–27:10
• National Connections: 27:10–28:27
• Trial and Legal Proceedings Outlook: 28:27–end

Tone and Style

• Garrison Davis delivers the episode with the signature “It Could Happen Here” blend of journalistic seriousness, ingrained skepticism about federal power, and clear-eyed, sometimes dark-humored engagement with radical politics and OPSEC culture.
• Original voices are preserved, especially in reading direct quotes from the complaint and the group’s messages.

Summary prepared for listeners seeking a comprehensive yet concise understanding of the episode’s content, tone, and central debates.