Reactions to Waco

The federal government's attack on the Branch Davidians at Waco, Texas, in 1993 stirred a wave of antigovernment sentiment. Of course, the government's own reaction has generally been continued persecution.

• March 1993: Waco newspaper flooded with antigovernment commentary
• December 1993: IRS harasses surviving Davidians
• March 1993 - February 1995: Libertarian Party of Texas protests government actions
• July 1993: Vince Foster commits suicide, wife says he was depressed over his role in Waco
• September 1993 - January 1994: Two ATF agents blamed for disaster, fired, then rehired
• 1994: Slain agents honored with marker
• November 1994: Waco affects national elections
• February, April 1995: Survivors plant trees in honor of dead
• February 1995: Committee for Waco Justice protests at ATF headquarters
• February 1995 - July 2003: Branch Davidians lawsuit rejected
• April 1995: Police steal signs at ongoing Waco protest in D.C.
• May 1995: Imprisoned Davidian tells of torture
• July - November 1995: U.S Congress holds hearings on ATF/FBI actions at Waco
• July 1996: ATF agent commits suicide over Waco role

The Waco massacre spurred growth in the citizen militia movement.

Several terrorist acts may have been linked to Waco:

• the April 1995 Oklahoma City federal building bombing occurred on the Waco fire's second anniversary
• the October 1995 Amtrak derailment involved a note referring to Waco
• the October 1995 La Guardia bombing also involved a note referring to Waco