Joshua Kaplan, a journalist specializing in militia movements, provides a gripping look into the American Patriots Three Percent (AP3). He discusses their motivations stemming from beliefs about election integrity and impending political strife. Kaplan explores the militia's complex history, connections to past events like the Oklahoma City bombing, and how they blend community elements with paramilitary training. As tensions rise leading up to the U.S. elections, he raises alarm over their potential for violence and the threats they pose to democracy.
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Quick takeaways
The American Patriots 3% militia group has gained traction by positioning itself against perceived government overreach, recruiting members through grievances over gun control and social movements.
Amidst rising tensions leading to the next election, some AP3 leaders express a willingness to resort to violence, indicating a troubling potential for political confrontations.
Deep dives
The Rise of Modern Militia Movements
The modern militia movement in the United States gained momentum in the 1990s, primarily as a response to perceived government overreach, such as gun control efforts initiated during Bill Clinton’s presidency and high-profile standoffs. This era saw the emergence of numerous groups, including the American Patriots 3% (AP3). A significant moment came with the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, carried out by Timothy McVeigh, which drew national attention and prompted a backlash against militias. However, the movement saw a revival during the Obama administration, fueled by socio-political tensions, which laid the groundwork for groups like AP3 to gain traction and relevance once again in recent years.
AP3's Growth and Ideology
American Patriots 3% has positioned itself as one of the largest militia groups in the country, emphasizing its role as a defense against government excesses and perceived threats from the left. Members often express grievances against gun control legislation, COVID-19 restrictions, and social movements like Black Lives Matter, using these issues as rallying points for recruitment. While claiming not to be explicitly white supremacist, elements of the group do exist that maintain ties to white nationalist ideologies. They have actively engaged in vigilante actions, including armed patrols at protests, illustrating their agenda to exert influence and resist government policies they find unjust.
Concerns Over Potential Violence and Political Influence
In the lead-up to contentious elections, AP3 members have begun expressing a willingness to resort to violence, with leaders indicating that the next election could potentially be decided through confrontations rather than ballots. The group has adopted strategies to foster relationships with law enforcement, aiming for operational cooperation, which allows for a degree of legitimacy and protection for their activities. This evolving dynamic raises alarms among experts who worry about the escalation of militia violence post-January 6, with an increasing number of members advocating for serious acts of political violence. These internal discussions reflect a broader discontent that could potentially ignite significant societal unrest if left unchecked.
During the presidential debate this week, Donald Trump once again talked about how he didn’t lose the 2020 election.
It’s a false claim that many Americans believe. And some of those believers are getting ready to fight following what they think could be another stolen election in November.
ProPublica’s Joshua Kaplan has been reporting on the American Patriots Three Percent, or AP3, and one of the largest active militia groups in the U.S. Despite a wider crackdown on paramilitary groups after January 6th, AP3 has so far managed to avoid much scrutiny.
Joshua gives host Jayme Poisson an inside view of the militia group, perspective on how much of a threat they are, and what the stakes are ahead of the U.S election.