(DCNF)—Leftists charged in a suspected bombing plot in California allegedly told an undercover FBI informant of their radical intentions several times before their Friday arrest, even mentioning a “terrorist diary,” court records show.
The paid informant and an undercover FBI agent were key to infiltrating the leftist group Turtle Island Liberation Front (TILF) and disrupting its alleged New Year’s Eve terrorist plot, the FBI said in a criminal complaint filed Saturday. Defendant Zachary Page said during a December in-person meeting — which included the unnamed informant and agent — that he was “100,000 percent” sure the FBI would certainly be tracking TILF’s activities ahead of the attack, according to the complaint.
“I kind of had this notebook where I wrote down multiple plans that never happened or got delayed,” Audrey Carroll, another of the four TILF defendants, allegedly said in a Dec. 10 text to the informant on Signal. “So it’s like / my terrorist diary / lmaooooo / I have to get rid of that.”
The same woman gave the undercover operative a handwritten document labeled “Operation Midnight Sun” that outlined the New Year’s Eve bombing plot, which involved detonating bombs at companies across Los Angeles when the clock struck midnight, the FBI alleged. The FBI’s surveillance climaxed with a Friday SWAT raid in the Mojave Desert, where the four defendants allegedly gathered at a campsite to test explosives, officials said Monday.
Court records do not yet list attorneys for the defendants, who made their first appearance in court Monday on charges of conspiracy and possessing an unregistered explosive device.
Sneaking law enforcement operatives into left-wing extremist groups can be difficult as they are often highly focused on operational security, or “opsec,” Center for Security Policy counterterrorism analyst Kyle Shideler told the Daily Caller News Foundation. He has previously advised law enforcement and spoken to Congress on national security topics.
“The amount of time these groups spend thinking about what they call ‘security culture’ is significant,” Shideler said. “They provide education on identifying potential infiltrators, in addition to avoiding technical surveillance.”
The FBI called the informant “reliable,” adding that the person has no criminal history, gave helpful information in other cases and had worked with the bureau since August 2021.
More details are needed to know how the Trump administration pulled it off, “But in general I believe infiltrating leftist groups is a significant challenge,” Shideler told the DCNF. “They’ve more than a [hundred] years of history dealing with police surveillance, including the lessons from the new left terrorists of the 1960s and the eco-terrorists of the 1990s.”
TILF defendants met with the FBI’s informant or undercover agent at least three times to discuss their planned terrorism between Nov. 26 and Dec. 7, the FBI alleged. They then drove in two cars with the federal operatives to the desert, where authorities moved in for arrest, the complaint says.
“What we’re doing will be considered a terrorist act,” Carroll said during the road trip, according to the FBI.
Undercover FBI work within leftist terror cells is not unheard of, though the bureau appears to use more informants to disrupt white supremacist or right-wing groups, according to Ryan Mauro, who studies extremism for Capital Research Center.
“Based on my anecdotal but extensive work with law enforcement on these issues, I do know that the use of informants against these kinds of criminal anarchist and communist extremists happens frequently enough for it to not be uncommon,” Mauro said.
“There might be more criminal offenders inside the ‘far-right,’ partially because the demographic is a bit older on average, so members have had more time to get themselves into trouble,” he told the DCNF. “That being said, I can without a doubt tell you there is more of a focus on ‘far-left’ extremists, but it is warranted based on their growth in size and capability.”
The FBI investigated TILF based on orders from President Donald Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to prioritize targeting domestic terrorist groups, especially left-wing extremists, Department of Justice (DOJ) officials said Monday. TILF’s radical statements on Instagram underscored its anti-government crusade, they said.
“Death to America. Death to colonizers. Death to capitalism. Death to imperialism. Is not violent,” TILF said in an Oct. 21 Instagram post. “Support of these structures is.”
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Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
That’s the promise — and the reality — behind Promised Grounds Coffee. This Christian-founded company doesn’t just roast beans; it approaches every step as an act of worship and discipleship. By selecting only the top 10% of specialty-grade beans, ethically sourced from dedicated farmers in Central and South America, and small-batch roasting them with reverence in Austin, Texas, Promised Grounds delivers what many describe as the best coffee available — never burnt, never bland, but rich with origin stories and layered flavors that honor God’s creation.
From the vibrant Psalm 27 Roast (a light, bright medium option) to the bold yet peaceful 2 Timothy 1:7 Decaf, each bag carries a Scripture verse that turns your daily pour into a gentle reminder of faith. And through their Ounce Per Ounce Promise, every ounce of coffee you enjoy provides an equal ounce of clean water to families in need via partnership with Filter of Hope — literally brewing hope for body and soul, one cup at a time.
The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
This integration of faith and flavor addresses a real need in Christian households and ministries. Busy parents, church leaders, and remote workers alike report that starting the day with a Scripture-inspired roast helps center their thoughts on eternal truths amid temporal pressures. The coffee’s exceptional character — bright citrus notes in lighter roasts or deep chocolate undertones in bolder ones — comes from meticulous selection and careful roasting that respects the bean’s natural gifts rather than masking them. It’s the kind of coffee that elevates a simple quiet time, fuels productive workdays, or sparks meaningful conversations when shared at Bible studies or outreach events. And because it’s ethically sourced with integrity, every purchase supports sustainable livelihoods for farmers who treat their crops like family harvests.
For those leading churches or small groups, the impact multiplies. Promised Grounds offers bundles and options perfect for hospitality ministries, turning ordinary coffee service into an opportunity to point people toward the living water of Christ. Imagine greeting visitors with a warm cup whose very bag carries God’s Word — a subtle yet powerful witness that aligns with the Great Commission. The company’s Texas roots and commitment to “brewing hope” resonate especially with believers who value American enterprise paired with global compassion.
Of course, quality alone isn’t enough if the experience feels out of reach. Promised Grounds keeps it accessible with practical perks like free shipping on orders over $40, sample sets for discovering favorites, and thoughtful add-ons such as faith-themed mugs. Whether you prefer whole beans for fresh grinding, grounds for convenience, or even bulk options for larger households and ministries, the result is consistently superior coffee that makes discipleship feel integrated rather than added on.
As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.