My Son's Trial

Bajun Mavalwalla II

My Statement on the Verdict

Today’s verdict marks the conclusion of a serious and important legal process.

I want to thank the jury, the attorneys for the defense, and all others who have participated in the proceedings with professionalism and integrity. Thank you especially to supporters that have shown up throughout this trial. Truly, your presence has kept up my spirits as well as those of many others.

Lastly, I want to make a statement about my son, Bajun Mavalwalla II. Having served with you as a member of the United States Army in Afghanistan, I was already well-aware of your bravery and your unwavering commitment to the beliefs and the principles for which you stand. This trial has proven to me MORE THAN ANYTHING how deep your commitments go and the extent of your bravery; which can only be matched by the profound pride I have in you as your father.

Thank you.

Read more below.

O n July 15th, 2025 Kash Patel and Pam Bondi sent 10 fully kitted agents with long guns and multiple vehicles in a herringbone formation, blocking the street. These extreme measures weren’t to capture a bank robber, drug smuggler, or mobster; they were there to arrest an Afghanistan veteran who had held a TOP SECRET clearance, had no criminal record, and was accused of a nonviolent protest against ICE a month earlier.

Bajun Mavalwalla II's arrest by the FBI

My son, Bajun Mavalwalla II, along with two other defendants, are facing federal felony conspiracy charges, and their currently ongoing trial will be coming to an end soon.

I served in Afghanistan on my final tour in the Army while my son served his first in the same country. I have never doubted my son's commitment to what he was fighting for: Our Nation and the Principles that make this nation great. 

Bajun Mavalwalla II and his father while serving in the U.S. Army in Afghanistan

I invite you to follow this trial and what it represents for our democracy. Below are news resources compiled for you to review, and you can learn about how this trial led to my run for Congress here.

Local outlet RANGE Media has had extraordinarily detailed coverage, which is listed below:

• Judge rules Spokane 9 case will go to trial
• In the weeds of Spokane’s federal conspiracy case
• Judge sets parameters as Spokane 3 head to trial May 18
• What you need to know before the Spokane 3 trial
• Trial of the Spokane 3, Day 1: “Please do not bring in politics. Please …”
• Trial of the Spokane 3, Day 1: Deputy said “I want to hit someone with a stick” during protest
• PHOTO ESSAY: Community rallies for Spokane 3 as federal trial starts
• The Trial of the Spokane 3, Day 2: The Jury, the Opening Statements, the First Witness
• The Trial of the Spokane 3, Day 3: “Emotions went high today.”
• The Trial of the Spokane 3, Day 4: “Under siege.”
• The Trial of the Spokane 3, Day 5: Play stupid Burlingames, win stupid Burlinprizes
• Trial of the Spokane 3, Day 5: ICE agent will be called back in to court to testify about Twitter account
• An overview of the Spokane 3 trial (so far)
• The Trial of the Spokane 3, Day 6: Punch defense
• Trial of the Spokane 3, Day 7: Jury starts deliberation, verdict expected Thursday
• Jury finds Spokane 3 protesters guilty of federal conspiracy charges

Other Coverage

• The Guardian — “Afghanistan war veteran arrested after ICE protest prepares for trial”
• PBS NewsHour — “Army veteran faces conspiracy charges after participating in anti-ICE protest”
• KING 5 News — “Federal trial of 3 Spokane ICE protestors begins”
• Democracy Now! — “Army Vet Charged with ‘Conspiracy’ for Protesting ICE Deportations”
• Court News — “Afghanistan Veteran Refuses Guilty Plea in Federal Conspiracy Case Over ICE Protest as Trial Nears”