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The Order of the Black Lotus

  • Writer: 17GEN4
    17GEN4
  • 4 hours ago
  • 6 min read

The Order of the Black Lotus refers primarily to a small, self-described "radical" faction associated with the Turtle Island Liberation Front (TILF), an alleged anti-government, anti-capitalist extremist group. This came to public attention in December 2025 following FBI arrests related to a foiled bombing plot.


Background and Recent Events


In mid-December 2025, federal authorities announced the disruption of an alleged terrorist plot involving improvised explosive devices (IEDs) targeted at logistics centers (described as "Amazon-type" facilities) and potentially U.S. immigration agents in Southern California on New Year's Eve. Four individuals—Audrey Ilene Carroll (30), Zachary Aaron Page (32), Dante Gaffield (24), and Tina Lai (41)—were arrested and charged with conspiracy and possession of an unregistered destructive device.


  • The group used a Signal chat named "Order of the Black Lotus" to plan the attacks, which one member (reportedly Carroll) deemed a "radical" offshoot of the broader TILF.

  • TILF is described in official statements as a far-left, pro-Palestine, anti-government, and anti-capitalist organization, with "Turtle Island" referencing a Native American term for North America.

  • A fifth person was arrested in Louisiana, linked to the group but not directly to the California plot.

  • The plot, dubbed "Operation Midnight Sun" in handwritten documents, involved acquiring bomb-making materials, testing devices in the Mojave Desert, and precautions like burner phones and alibis. Officials stated the suspects claimed they did not intend to kill people and would warn anyone nearby.


This information comes from U.S. Justice Department announcements, FBI press conferences, and reporting by outlets including CNN, ABC News, Reuters, Los Angeles Times, and others. The case is ongoing, with allegations of domestic extremism.


Other References


The phrase "Order of the Black Lotus" (or similar) appears in various fictional contexts, unrelated to the above:


  • Fan-made or role-playing groups in games like Robotech, Minecraft servers, or comic forums (e.g., ancient assassin orders or mystical organizations).

  • Books and series, such as urban fiction by K'wan (Black Lotus trilogy) or children's adventure novels involving ninjas.

  • No established real-world secret society, martial arts order, or historical group by this exact name predates the 2025 news coverage in major sources.



The Turtle Island Liberation Front (TILF) is a small, far-left extremist group that gained public attention in December 2025 following the arrest of several alleged members in connection with a foiled domestic terrorism plot.


Ideology and Description


"Turtle Island" is an Indigenous term referring to North America, often used in decolonization and anti-colonial activism. According to U.S. federal authorities (Department of Justice and FBI statements):

  • TILF is described as a far-left, pro-Palestine, anti-government, anti-capitalist, and anti-law-enforcement organization.

  • It advocates for "liberation through decolonization and tribal sovereignty," the rise of the working class against capitalism, and "direct action" over peaceful protest or liberalism.

  • Social media associated with the group (e.g., Instagram and Facebook pages linked to an LA chapter) has included slogans like "Death to America," "Death to ICE," "Long Live Turtle Island & Palestine," and calls for freeing colonized peoples worldwide, including references to Palestine, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico.


The group appears to have a limited online presence and small following, with no widely documented history or major activities prior to the 2025 arrests.


The 2025 Bombing Plot


On December 15, 2025, the DOJ and FBI announced the disruption of an alleged New Year's Eve bombing plot in Southern California:

  • Four individuals—Audrey Ilene Carroll (30), Zachary Aaron Page (32), Dante Gaffield (24), and Tina Lai (41)—were arrested in the Mojave Desert while allegedly testing improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

  • They were charged with conspiracy and possession of an unregistered destructive device.

  • The plot, reportedly called "Operation Midnight Sun," targeted logistics facilities (described as "Amazon-type" companies), ICE agents, and vehicles.

  • The suspects used a Signal chat group named "Order of the Black Lotus," which one member (Carroll) described as a "radical" offshoot of TILF.

  • Evidence included bomb-making materials, handwritten plans, posters with anti-American and anti-ICE slogans, and social media managed by Carroll promoting violence.

  • A fifth person, Micah James Legnon from Louisiana, was arrested separately for allegedly planning another attack and linked to TILF.


Authorities stated the group claimed they did not intend to kill people and would provide warnings, but the plot was deemed a credible threat. The case is ongoing, with initial court appearances completed and arraignments scheduled for early 2026.


Broader Context


  • TILF has been linked to disruptive protests, including one targeting a Los Angeles synagogue earlier in 2025.

  • Some reports note alliances or overlaps with other far-left direct-action groups promoting Palestinian causes.

  • There is online skepticism in leftist circles, with claims the group was obscure or possibly exaggerated/infiltrated, but official sources and evidence (photos, documents) support the arrests as legitimate.


This information is based on official U.S. government announcements, court filings, and reporting from outlets like AP, Reuters, CNN, Fox News, and Al Jazeera as of December 16, 2025. The allegations remain under investigation, and the suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.


Why is the pro-Palestine angle being downplayed with regard to news media coverage following the arrest of members of this group?


The pro-Palestine aspect of the Turtle Island Liberation Front (TILF) has not been significantly downplayed in mainstream news media coverage following the December 2025 arrests. In fact, it is frequently and explicitly highlighted as a core part of the group's ideology.Official DescriptionsOfficial U.S. government statements (from Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel, and the DOJ) consistently describe TILF as a "far-left, pro-Palestine, anti-government, and anti-capitalist group". This phrasing appears verbatim or in close variations across numerous reports.


Media Coverage Examples


  • Fox News → Leads with "radical pro-Palestinian extremist group" and details social media calls for freeing Palestine alongside Hawaii and Puerto Rico.

  • CNN → Notes the group is "motivated by pro-Palestinian, anti-law-enforcement, and anti-government ideology."

  • CBS News, ABC News, USA Today, Reuters, Al Jazeera, The Hill, Jewish Insider → All include "pro-Palestine" or "pro-Palestinian" in their descriptions, often quoting officials directly.

  • Evidence like posters reading "LONG LIVE TURTLE ISLAND & PALESTINE" and the group's Instagram posts (e.g., fundraisers for Palestinian causes, protests against Israeli companies) are commonly cited.


Variations in Emphasis


Some outlets emphasize the anti-capitalist/anti-government or decolonization angles more prominently (e.g., focusing on targets like logistics companies and ICE), but the pro-Palestine element is rarely omitted entirely. Conservative-leaning sources (e.g., Fox, Washington Examiner) tend to foreground it more aggressively, linking it to broader concerns about far-left extremism tied to Palestinian activism.


Lack of Evidence for Downplaying


Searches for commentary accusing media of downplaying this specific angle yielded no substantial results from major outlets or widespread discussions on X as of December 16, 2025. Instead, the coverage largely mirrors the official narrative. If anything, the pro-Palestine label has been amplified in right-leaning media to frame the story within ongoing debates about campus protests and domestic extremism linked to the Israel-Gaza conflict.


Potential Perceptions


Perceptions of downplaying could stem from:

  • The story's recency (announcements began December 15).

  • Variations in headline focus.

  • Comparisons to how pro-Palestine activism is covered in other contexts (e.g., protests vs. alleged terrorism).


Overall, the evidence from a broad range of sources (left-leaning, centrist, right-leaning, and international) shows the pro-Palestine motivation is being reported straightforwardly and often prominently. The allegations remain under investigation, with suspects presumed innocent until proven guilty.


__________

In real-world events as of December 2025, the name "Order of the Black Lotus" refers to a radical faction allegedly linked to the Turtle Island Liberation Front (TILF), described by law enforcement as a violent, homegrown, antigovernment group. This group operated a Signal chat under the name and was involved in plotting a series of bombings targeting logistics centers in Los Angeles and Orange counties on New Year’s Eve, as well as planning potential follow-up attacks against Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. The plot, detailed in a document called "Operation Midnight Sun," involved constructing improvised explosive devices and Molotov cocktails, which the FBI disrupted on December 12, 2025, leading to the arrest of four individuals: Audrey Illeene Carroll, Zachary Aaron Page, Dante Gaffield, and Tina Lai. Authorities found bomb-making materials during a search in the Mojave Desert, confirming the group's capability to build operational devices. The U.S. Attorney’s Office emphasized the threat posed by such radicalized groups and indicated further charges may follow as the investigation continues.


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