Civil Trial Begins Over ‘Trump Train’ Encounter With Biden Campaign Bus

AUSTIN, Texas—Attorneys for “Trump Train” supporters being sued in civil court denied accusations their clients harassed or threatened those aboard the Biden–Harris campaign bus driving on a Texas highway in 2020. 

Opening statements in the U.S. Western District courtroom on Sept. 9 detailed allegations that the Trump Train defendants planned “dangerous and illegal” actions to run the campaign bus out of town.

Defense attorneys countered that the case against their clients was nothing more than “lawfare” and an attempt for Democrats to silence the First Amendment rights of Trump supporters and punish their political opponents. 

Plaintiff attorneys showed the jury video clips of the Trump Train—a caravan of Republican activists displaying flags on their vehicles in support of former President Donald Trump—recorded by Democrats on the bus. 

Plaintiffs include Biden campaign staffer David Gins; former Texas state Sen. Wendy Davis, who once ran against Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott; and bus driver Timothy Holloway. 

Plaintiffs sued several members of the caravan, claiming they violated the Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871 by conspiring to disrupt President Joe Biden’s campaign for president in 2020 and intimidate those on the bus.

“Those driving knew what they were doing was wrong,” plaintiff attorney Samuel Hal told the jury. 

Videos shared on social media, including some recorded by Trump supporters, show cars and pickup trucks riding alongside the campaign bus as it traveled from San Antonio to Austin on Oct. 30, 2020.

The lawsuit states Trump supporters boxed in the bus while slowing it down and kept it from exiting the highway. The bus driver allegedly had to make evasive maneuvers to avoid a collision.

Plaintiff attorneys introduced social media posts, some laced with profanity, by the defendants in an attempt to show their intent and coordination.

Also, attorneys for the plaintiffs said their clients suffered “mental anguish” and deserved unspecified compensation.

Defendants who remain in the lawsuit include Steve and Randi Ceh, Eliazar Cisneros, Dolores Park, and Joeylynn and Robert Mesaros. Different attorneys represent them.

Jason Geaves, an attorney for Pastor Steve Ceh and his wife, Randi, of Canyon Lake, said they didn’t participate in the Trump Train that day because they were working. 

Steve Ceh told The Epoch Times that he believes he and his wife were a target because they are Christians who are active in politics.

Up until a couple of weeks before the trial, the couple, who live in a 40-foot recreational vehicle, represented themselves because no attorney would take their case.

“I believe this is an act of God. He stepped in to get us attorneys,” Steve Ceh said.

Defendants Joeylynn and Robert Mesaros of New Braunfels, Texas, told The Epoch Times two years ago that they did nothing wrong. They, too, believe the lawsuit was designed to chill free speech.

Videos of Trump Train members surrounding the bus as it traveled on Interstate 35 near Austin, Texas, went viral and drew praise from Trump.

Defense attorneys argued it was the plaintiffs who were at fault, accusing the bus driver of swerving to intimidate Trump supporters.

One defense attorney used a video introduced by the plaintiffs to show the bus could have exited numerous times from the highway.

Another drew attention to what appeared to be a lack of fear exhibited by Democrats on the bus.

Plaintiff attorneys also intend to call an expert safety witness to the stand who will testify that Trump supporters escorting the bus on the highway that day allegedly violated criminal and motor vehicle laws.

However, the defense said that the plaintiff expert witness is paid millions to testify.

The trial is expected to last three weeks.