On the morning of February 28, 1993, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
arrived with close to 100 agents to serve a warrant for illegal firearms in
what they called Operation Trojan Horse. What followed was one of the worst
firefights in law enforcement history, as agents of the ATF faced off with a
heavily armed group known as the Branch Davidians. Two hours later, four ATF
agents and six Branch Davidians would lay dead. The FBI soon assumed control of
the confrontation, engaging the Branch Davidians in 51-day standoff. Three
sides quickly emerged in the chaos. On one side were the Branch Davidians who
claimed they were being unfairly persecuted for their beliefs. Directly opposed
were the FBI HRT tactical teams who believed that they were facing off with a
cult of cop killers and child molesters. Somewhere in between, a team of FBI
negotiators were pleading with both sides, desperately trying to avoid what
would become a tragic ending. What is the psychological effect of an increasingly
militarized police force on citizens? Can a tremendous show of force ever lead
to a peaceful resolution? What lessons did the FBI and ATF learn from this
tragedy? Join us as Drs. Micono and Morelos explore the siege at Waco Part 2:
The “Good” Guys.