How Far-Right, Extremist Militias Organize On Facebook
May 2, 2024
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Far-right militias are using Facebook to organize for the US election despite bans. The podcast explores Facebook's role, the rise of extremist groups, and their shift to social media. It delves into conspiracy theories around Walt Disney and JFK Jr., ending with a call to action for listeners.
Far-right militias on Facebook recruit for combat training ahead of elections.
Militia groups use public groups as recruitment fronts for more extreme private networks.
Influential figures lead militia training efforts emphasizing firearms and combat readiness.
Concerns arise over militia impact on election security due to online activities and disinformation interactions.
Deep dives
Militia Extremists Organizing on Facebook
Militia extremists have been reorganizing on Facebook, forming public and private groups to recruit for local militia activities across the US. Despite Facebook's safety standards, these groups have been preparing for the upcoming November election by encouraging combat training and readiness. Various militia individuals openly associate themselves with known militia terms, spreading ideologies and facilitating local in-person training, including firearms training and hand-to-hand combat preparation.
Legacy of January 6 Impact on Militia Activity
Following the events of January 6, the militia movement in the US underwent a transformation. Some groups distanced themselves from paramilitary activities, while others reorganized in local networks on Facebook, connecting with like-minded individuals and influencing anti-government sentiment. Despite Facebook's previous crackdowns, militias have since resurfaced in smaller, public-facing groups filtering members into more extreme private networks for organizing.
Influential Militia Networks on Facebook
Influential militia figures play a key role in building Facebook networks, urging active patriots to join, aligning with known militia terms and ideologies. These groups focus on preparing for combat through local organizing and training, emphasizing firearms and hand-to-hand training in remote areas. Some individuals with military experience lead the training, ensuring proficiency. Videos circulated within these networks display varying levels of sophistication and seriousness in their training efforts.
Main Militia Groups Involved and Evolution
Notable militia groups such as Oath Keepers and Proud Boys were central to the events of January 6, leading to a decline in overt activity. However, networks like the American Patriot 3% have emerged prominently on Facebook, despite being labeled as dangerous organizations. The militia movement operates locally, with chapters focusing on county and state-level organizing. While some chapters have distanced themselves, others intensify local networking efforts on social media platforms like Facebook.
Facebook's Role in Militia Reemergence
Facebook's platform has facilitated the reemergence of militia groups by providing a mainstream space for recruitment and organizing efforts. Militias strategically utilize public-facing groups to draw recruits into private, more extreme networks for operational planning. Despite Meta's statements about removing policy-violating groups, researchers point out the ease with which these militia networks operate openly on Facebook, leading to concerns about their impact on the upcoming November election.
Further Radicalization and Militarization on Social Media
The interplay between militia groups, anti-government sentiment, and Facebook's platform underscores the potential for radicalization and militarization within online spaces. The alignment of various groups, from conspiracy followers to law enforcement advocates, signals a convergence that could impact future events, including elections. With militia activities increasingly normalized online, the specter of January 6 looms large, prompting vigilance in monitoring these groups' actions and rhetoric.
Conspiracy Theories: Walt Disney and JFK Jr. Plane
In a lighter segment, conspiracy theories surrounding Walt Disney's cryogenic freezing and the tracking of John F. Kennedy Jr.'s plane provide intriguing insights into the fascination with historical figures and fantastical scenarios. The mythologies surrounding these figures span decades, intertwining with broader conspiracies related to government distrust and bizarre interpretations of signals or symbols. Despite their whimsical nature, these theories reflect deeper societal preoccupations with secrecy, revival, and hidden meanings.
Implications of Online Militia Activities on Election Security
As online militia activities gain momentum and interaction with disinformation networks intensifies, concerns arise about potential disruptions to election security. The convergence of anti-government sentiments, conspiracy followers, and militia groups suggests a complex landscape that could impact the democratic process. The rise of private, extreme networks on social media platforms poses challenges for regulation and oversight, underscoring the need for vigilance and proactive measures to safeguard electoral integrity.
Far-right militia, extremist groups are using Facebook to organize ahead of the US presidential election. After laying low for several years after the Capitol riot on January 6, militia extremists have been quietly reorganizing, ramping up recruitment and rhetoric on Facebook—with apparently little concern that Meta will enforce its own ban against them, according to new research by the Tech Transparency Project shared exclusively with Wired. These groups, which are set up locally, encourage members to engage in combat training and recruitment.
Leah Feiger is @LeahFeiger. David Gilbert is @DaithaiGilbert. Tess Owen is @misstessowen. Write to us at politicslab@WIRED.com. Be sure to subscribe to the WIRED Politics Lab newsletter here.
