The Branch Davidians were a religious group that gained notoriety in the 1990s when they were involved in a deadly standoff with law enforcement in Waco, Texas. There are several synonyms for this term, including "Davidian sect," "Davidian cult," or simply "Davidians." They believed in an offshoot of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and were led by David Koresh, who claimed to be a messiah figure. While their beliefs may have been considered unorthodox by some, their tragic end at Mount Carmel has left a lasting impact on American society and has become a cautionary tale about religious extremism and government overreach.