Two men accused of planning to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2020 have been found guilty. Their backgrounds and the trial itself raise concerns about the role of extremism in America.
Looming threats of more possible violence signal broader opposition to the Biden administration in what could become a loose campaign of domestic terrorism.
Much remains unknown so far about an alleged plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, but five themes will remain relevant no matter how events unfold.
Some militia members see political unrest as an opportunity to wrest power from an overbearing federal government. But others support strict enforcement of law and order.
The boogaloos, a far-right community, have taken to wearing Hawaiian shirts. This co-option is far from the spirit of the shirt, which signifies respect for all animated or inanimate beings.
Many militia members have championed the importance of individual rights, but have also backed a president who is now threatening the kind of crackdown they fear.
The popular perception of right-wing patriot militia members is that they are racist, violent and crazy. The authors of a new book about them say that’s not the whole story.