A pro-Trump protester in front of Capitol Hill. They describe themselves as a men’s fraternity of “Western chauvinists”, but are effectively a white nationalist gang predicated on violence.Īs Proud Boys founder Gavin McGuinnes described in 2017, to reach the highest level of the organisation’s hierarchy a member must “kick the crap out of an antifa” (anti-fascist). The Proud Boys are one of the significant groups driving the protests, known for using violence to achieve their political ends. So who are the far-right rioters, and why are they so angry? Violence is their bread and butter While there’s no doubt that some of the protesters were individual citizens, members of far-right extremist groups played an important, visible role in the riots. He even affirmed the Capitol building protesters, calling them “very special” and “great patriots.”Ĭertainly, the way Trump is responding has only served to embolden the protesters and inflame the situation. Recall his endorsement of neo-Nazis in Charlottesville (“there are very fine people on both sides”) and his refusal to condemn the Proud Boys (“stand back and stand by”). It culminates years of President Donald Trump’s incitement and endorsement of these groups. At least five people have reportedly died in relation to this protest, including a woman who was shot.

The riot marked a disturbing escalation in the willingness and ability for the far right to mobilize against liberal democratic institutions, inspired by baseless claims peddled by the president: that this has been a stolen, fraudulent election.

He said that “mob violence goes against everything I believe in,” adding “no true supporter of mine could ever endorse political violence.”ĪBC News' Phaedra Singelis contributed to this report.Of the hundreds of pro-Trump rioters who charged into the US Capitol, where Congress was set to certify Joe Biden’s presidency on January 6, many included “ Proud Boys”, QAnon supporters and those who aren’t necessarily affiliated with a group but have engaged with these far-right ideologies. Capitol, Trump condemned the violence in a video message released by the White House. Hours after he was impeached for the second time by the House for 'incitement of insurrection' for his role in the Jan. Capitol and clashed with law enforcement, eventually resulting in the death of five people.Īs bipartisan pressure mounted on Trump to respond, he called on rioters to be “peaceful” and “go home” but did so while repeating his false claim that the election was stolen from him and told the mob, “we love you.” A week later, the president has publicly refused any responsibility for his rhetoric and when pressed on Tuesday, he claimed his comments were “totally appropriate.” He told his supporters that a strong response is necessary to “take back our country.” Shortly after, the pro-Trump mob breached the U.S.

Larry Rosenthal, chair and lead researcher of the Berkeley Center for Right-Wing Studies, said that the “Stop the Steal” mob was generally made up of two groups - right-wing populists, whom he described as part of Trump’s most faithful “rally-goers.” Some of them did not engage in violence and were 'not prepared for insurrection.' There were also right-wing militia groups that represent two overlapping “currents” of the far right movement: white nationalism and anti-government. Capitol last Wednesday, symbols of white supremacy and extremist right-wing militias were displayed by rioters on flags, banners and clothing scattered in a sea of American flags, pro-Trump banners and campaign memorabilia.Īccording to experts who study far-right movements in the U.S., the images illuminated some of the beliefs held by some “extremist” individuals and groups who embraced President Donald Trump's repeated false claims that the election was stolen from him and responded to his call for “strong” action as he urged supporters to march to the Capitol.

Right wing pro trump event