Things That Go Boom

The Militias Next Door

Jan 20, 2025

In this discussion, Dr. Amy Cooter, a leading expert on the U.S. militia movement, sheds light on the complex identities of militia members. She challenges prevalent myths, highlighting the varied beliefs among militias—from constitutionalists to conspiratorial factions. Amy also delves into the implications of political polarization and the impact of events like the Waco siege. By exploring the motivations behind militia involvement and the risks of accelerationism, she emphasizes the urgent need for nuanced understanding and proactive engagement with these groups.

29:48

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Episode guests

Amy Cooter

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Quick takeaways

The U.S. militia movement is a complex landscape of diverse groups, often wrongly simplified into a single extremist narrative, which obscures meaningful engagement.

Fostering empathy and open dialogue with militia members can bridge misunderstandings and address societal concerns, potentially reducing the risk of radicalization.

Deep dives

Rising Trend of Split Ticket Voting

The increasing trend of voters splitting their tickets during elections has indicated a shift in political behavior, where individuals support candidates from different parties for various offices. This was notably observed in Wisconsin, where a Republican presidential candidate and a Democratic senator both garnered votes, signaling discontent with party lines. One striking example highlighted occurred in New York's 14th district, home to Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, where voters expressed surprise at their ability to support Trump while also favoring Democratic down-ballot candidates. Such behavior illustrates a broader frustration with the political establishment and its perceived alignment with corporate interests over the concerns of average Americans.

Intro

4min

Understanding U.S. Militias: Myths and Realities

10min

Militia Movements and Tragic Legacies

9min

The Dangers of Accelerationism and Political Rhetoric

2min

Understanding Militia Radicalization

4min

Understanding Militias and The Complexity of Violence

2min

Amy Cooter has been studying US militias since 2008 when, as a graduate student in Michigan, she attended a public meeting of a group that was thought to be a cover for an underground neo-Nazi movement.

As it turned out, that assumption was wrong.

It was then that Amy realized this militia movement she encountered was worthy of study all on its own. And at the time, most academics weren't studying it, partly because they believed all these guys were the same. They're not.

Today Amy is one of the foremost experts on these groups. In this episode, she tells us the things we’re still getting wrong about the US militia movement. And explains how, by ignoring the movement’s complexities, we might have missed our window for change.

GUEST: Dr. Amy Cooter, Director of Research, Academic Development, and Innovation (RADI), Center on Terrorism, Extremism, and Counterterrorism

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

"As Trump Touts Plans for Immigrant Roundup, Militias Are Standing Back, but Standing By," Amy Cooter, The Conversation.

Nostalgia, Nationalism, and the US Militia Movement, Amy Cooter, Routledge.

"The Sheriffs, Hardliners, and Militias Preparing for Trump’s Return," Tyler Hicks, Inkstick Media.