Morning Briefing: U.S. Navy SEAL Under Investigation for Alleged Ties to Proud Boys
Bryce Henson, former Marine and U.S. Navy SEAL is reportedly 'under investigation for having ties with extremist groups such as the Proud Boys.'
Morning Briefing: A former Marine and U.S. Navy SEAL is reportedly “under investigation for having ties with extremist groups such as the Proud Boys after local reporters and activists.”
Bryce Henson, Chief Special Warfare Operator based in San Diego, California, has allegedly “appeared at several rallies along with other people wearing attire frequently used by the Proud Boys.”
The activity of far-right, militant social movement, and white supremacist “decreased by roughly one-third in October compared to September,” according analysis published by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED).
Seann Pietila pleaded guilty to “using social media to make violent threats against Jewish people,” and “faces up to five years in federal prison.”
A neo-Nazi and two others were arrested and charged in “connection with the brutal beating death of a 49-year-old gay man at his north Phoenix home in August.”
In Frederick County, Virginia, “Save America” signs include a phone number that reportedly “appears to be a recruitment hotline for the Loyal White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan.”
In Newburyport, Massachusetts, there has been an increasing amount of antisemitic messages directed at the city council, and each member reportedly “received letters in the mail advocating white power.”
Must Reads
Annika Brockschmidt writes that “the case of Mike Johnson shows that a theocratic worldview isn’t merely the province of the strident evangelist—it can just as easily hide behind a smile and a polite demeanor. Apparently, even the most spirited Googling hasn’t clued some media into the revolutionary movements that influenced the man who stands second in line to the presidency. And this routine continues to work for Johnson—with the Washington Post recently publishing—to put it diplomatically, a puff piece; or, more frankly, a free campaign ad—claiming that ‘faith and family’ lead the way for him. No further mention of the fact that his faith makes him strive for the implementation of theocracy. That a fringe figure like Johnson is the ‘compromise candidate’ behind whom House Republicans have unanimously rallied bodes ill—for marginalized people in the US, and for American democracy as a whole.” [Religion Dispatches]
Bradley Onishi and Matthew Taylor write the flag outside Mike Johnson’s “district office in the Cannon House Office Building — is white with a simple evergreen tree in the center and the phrase ‘An Appeal to Heaven’ at the top. Historically, this flag was a Revolutionary War banner, commissioned by George Washington as a naval flag for the colony turned state of Massachusetts. The quote ‘An Appeal to Heaven’ was a slogan from that war, taken from a treatise by the philosopher John Locke. But in the past decade it has come to symbolize a die-hard vision of a hegemonically Christian America. To understand the contemporary meaning of the Appeal to Heaven flag, it’s necessary to enter a world of Christian extremism animated by modern-day apostles, prophets, and apocalyptic visions of Christian triumph that was central to the chaos and violence of Jan. 6. Earlier this year we released an audio-documentary series, rooted in deep historical research and ethnographic interviews, on this sector of Christianity, which is known as the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR). The flag hanging outside Johnson’s office is a key part of its symbology.” [Rolling Stone]
Frederick Clarkson writes that Oklahoma Congressman Kevin Hern “was the headline speaker at the annual fundraising banquet for City Elders, a Tulsa-based Christian right group with national ambitions. The funds raised that night were earmarked for ‘expansion'.’ In theory, that means expanding City Elders’ national network of county level committees of Christian right activists who want to function as the de facto government in their local jurisdictions. The group may well succeed in strengthening the political capacities of the Christian right. But its efforts have also exposed significant cracks on the road to Christian dominion that could derail the goal of building the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth. These flaws may provide hope and opportunities for those who want to resist the advance of theocratic forces in public life — and defend and advance human and civil rights and constitutional democracy.” [Salon]
What to expect from Radical Reports: Morning Briefing provides a daily round-up of reporting on the Radical Right; Extremist Links offers a weekly round-up of extremists activities including the white supremacist and militia movements; Narratives of the Right delivers weekly analysis of the current narratives in far right online spaces and promoted by right-wing media; and Research Desk provides monthly highlights research and analysis from academia on the Radical Right.
I know it’s such an emotional waste of energy, but I just can’t help but hate the haters!
What’s wrong with these guys? Why do that while in the positions they are in? Is it power or control? We look for heroes not terrorism