Those FBI stings are a pretty good example, though I would say that it's more textbook entrapment than thoughtcrime. It seems that they are selecting more for the ability to be manipulated over their ideological positions.

As far as hate-crime goes, the notion behind increased punishment there is that the victims include an entire terrorized community, not just the direct victim. If I throw some trash on some guy's lawn, there's one victim (the guy). If I burn a cross on some guy's lawn, there are multiple victims (the other black families in the neighborhood). It's an important distinction.

Read up on the FBI "terrorism" plots most of them are beyond traditional entrapment and into enticement.

For hate crime: yes, you've explained the justification for the designation. But it is thoughtcrime. You've merely said that it's legitimate.