From Capitol Riots to Kidnapping Plots: The Chilling Rise of Domestic Militias

 

Inside America’s Shadow Armies: The Dangerous Rise of Violent Extremist Militias and the Fight to Stop Them

     The United States has always had its share of shadows, but the rise of violent extremism is something else entirely. Across the country, militias draped in the flag of patriotism are stirring up chaos, leaving a trail of fear and destruction behind them. Don’t make the mistake of thinking these are just some backwoods loners with tin-foil hats. They’re organized, heavily armed, and driven by warped ideologies that see the government—and even their fellow Americans—as the enemy. It’s a grim reality, one that demands a closer look at who these groups are, what they’ve done, and how they’re being dealt with.

     Take the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers, for starters. These names have become shorthand for trouble. The Proud Boys, a self-described “western chauvinist” group, practically led the charge during the January 6 Capitol riot, whipping up violence and storming the heart of American democracy. The Oath Keepers, on the other hand, operate more like a paramilitary force, recruiting from law enforcement and military ranks to fuel their anti-government agenda. Then there’s the Boogaloo Movement, a loose but deadly network of extremists itching for a second civil war, and the Aryan Brotherhood, whose white supremacist roots have morphed into a criminal empire as ruthless as any drug cartel.

     These aren’t just names and slogans; these groups have left tangible scars on the nation. The Capitol riot was a watershed moment, but it’s far from the only example. Remember the 2014 Bundy Ranch standoff? Armed militia members confronted federal agents over land-use disputes, creating a spectacle of lawlessness that emboldened similar groups across the country. More recently, extremist factions have targeted critical infrastructure, attacking power grids and threatening to plunge communities into darkness. Their tactics range from armed protests meant to intimidate to leveraging the anonymity of cyberspace to spread their propaganda and recruit.

     These groups might talk a big game, but they’re not operating in the wild without someone watching. The FBI and other intelligence agencies are working overtime to tear them apart, using everything from undercover agents to high-tech surveillance to stay a step ahead. Take the foiled plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer—proof of just how far these groups are willing to go and the painstaking efforts it takes to shut them down.

     But let’s not kid ourselves; it’s no easy task. Balancing the rights to free speech and bear arms with the need to stop violent extremists is like walking a tightrope over a canyon. One wrong move, and everything can come crashing down.

     It’s this clash between freedom and security where the stakes are highest—and where fiction sometimes feels uncomfortably close to reality. In my Corey Pearson- CIA Spymaster Short Story series, especially Operation Skyfall, I dive headfirst into the murky waters of domestic and international threats. The story puts you right in the action, with Corey and his team infiltrating a radical militia planning a devastating attack. In one white-knuckle moment, they face off against extremists in a warehouse near Miami International Airport, where missiles are locked and loaded, ready to bring down a commercial airliner carrying more than 300 people.

     Sure, Operation Skyfall is fiction, but it offers more than a thrilling ride—it gives a glimpse into the real challenges faced by intelligence operatives trying to stop these kinds of nightmares from becoming reality. These stories aren’t just page-turners; they’re a wake-up call, reminding us how quickly things can spiral out of control when we let extremism fester unchecked.

     The fight against violent militias is far from over. These groups thrive in the shadows, feeding off disinformation and fear. But as the FBI continues to expose their plots and arrest their leaders, there’s hope that their influence can be curbed. It’s a battle that demands vigilance, awareness, and action from all of us.

    

Robert Morton is a member of the Association of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO) and an accomplished author. He writes the Corey Pearson- CIA Spymaster Short Story series, blending his knowledge of real-life intelligence operations with gripping fictional storytelling. His work offers readers an insider’s glimpse into the world of espionage, inspired by the complexities and high-stakes realities of the intelligence community.