Two years after the capture of the Capitol: what weight do armed militias have in the United States?

Exactly two years ago, on January 6, 2021, thousands of Donald Trump supporters stormed the Capitol, where Joe Biden’s victory has been certified in the presidential elections in the United States. Among them were members of extremist groups. How important are these militias today and how are they organized?

On that fateful January 6, Donald Trump supporters marched to the legislature and forced their way in to halt the electoral process that confirmed Joe Biden as the new president of the United States.

Among the participants in the march were order van derrickfrom Wisconsin, Max Millerfrom Ohio and George Santos, from New York, who paradoxically they were elected as members of Congress after the midterm elections.

illegal groups

In the last election, at least 100 candidates for public office they were associated with extremist organizations in the United States, according to the Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) Center on Extremism. An extremism that has grown in recent years and was reflected in the capture of the Capitol.

In the United States there are 1,221 extremist hate groups and among these there are at least 92 armed militias or paramilitaries, as revealed by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC).

Militias who were responsible for it attempts to kidnap governors and politiciansfailed coups and attacks on religious temples and minorities.

Some of the best known are the Proud Boys, Oath Keepers, Boogaloo Boys.

Mary McCord, an expert on militia, told CBS’ 60 Minutes that while these groups hide behind the freedom to bear arms, they are still illegal. “The Supreme Court has been very clear since 1886 that the Second Amendment does not protect paramilitary organizations, according to the Constitution,” she said.

Conspiracy theories

Conspiracy theories against Covid-19, a second civil war and alleged electoral fraud drive these organizations.

The “great replacement” is another of the conspiracy theories according to which migrants will eventually replace the white population and take away their political and economic power.

In response, groups like Veterans on Patrol they are arresting immigrants at the border and handing them over to the Border Patrol, as reported by local media.

Jim Arroyo, vice president of the Oath Keepers in Arizona, described it openly the close relationship between the Border Patrol and its militia.

“Our members are very experienced and We have law enforcement officers on duty who are part of our organization and who help us to form ourselves”.

On January 6, the world witnessed the reach of these militias and the the influence they continue to have in the United States.

Cristóbal Vazquez, RFI

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