What is Patriot Front? The history of the white supremacist group that marched in Washington for the 250th anniversary of the United States

While millions of people celebrated the 250th anniversary of independence USA With parades, concerts and fireworks, another group turned heads on the streets of Washington on Saturday. Hundreds of men dressed in blue t-shirts, khaki pants, covered faces and American flags marched in formation through the center of the capital. It was about Patriot Frontan organization classified by experts as one of the most active white supremacist groups in the country. How was this group born that seeks to project an image of patriotism to spread a white nationalist ideology and who leads it?

The members of Patriot Front They packed the Washington subway system, gathered in front of the Union Station train station and marched towards the US Congress area, according to local press.

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They paraded shouting phrases like “Let’s take back America!” In addition to carrying their own emblems, these people also carried Confederate flags.

In an interview with CNN on Sunday, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum downplayed the fact and stressed that In the United States, freedom of expression prevails.

“What they stand for is something I could never agree with. But one of the fundamental principles of the United States, which makes democracy messy, is freedom of speech,” Burgum declared.

“There are many things that I see that I personally might consider offensive and reprehensible. But in the United States, freedom of expression is allowed,” he added.

When was Patriot Front born?

According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, Patriot Front “is a white nationalist hate group that formed after the deadly ‘Unite the Right’ rally in Charlottesville, Virginia” in August 2017.

On August 12, 2017, a demonstration by groups white supremacists and far-right group sparked violent clashes when an individual rammed his car into a crowd of counterprotesters, leaving one person dead, identified as Heather Heyerand dozens of injured.

days later, Thomas Ryan Rousseauwho led a faction of Vanguard Americawho actively participated in the march of Charlottesvillerenamed the group’s website and launched a new organization called Patriot Frontaccording to the Anti-Defamation League.

Thomas Rousseau He was 18 years old when he decided to break up with Vanguard America and launch Patriot Front. From the first moment he wanted to give a renewed image to his movement.

Although it maintained the same ideological base, Patriot Front adopted a different strategy: replaced neo-Nazi aesthetics with American patriotic symbols; began using the colors red, white and blue, as well as references to US history and the founding fathers; organized highly coordinated marches with uniformed and masked participants; intensified propaganda through banners, graffiti, flyers and rapid actions.

Rousseau was born in 1998 in the state of Texas. Today he remains the main visible leader of the organization.

In the march last July 4th, we saw Rousseau with the face uncovered.

Experts point out that one of the distinctive characteristics of Patriot Front is that, unlike other extremist groups in USAtries to project a disciplined and organized image. Its members usually appear: with their faces covered, wearing blue shirts and khaki pants, marching in formation and using slogans such as “Let’s take back America.”

A nation reserved for people of European descent

In addition, organizations that monitor extremism maintain that the group promotes a view of the United States as a nation reserved for people of European descent and rejects multiculturalism and immigration.

USA Today obtained exclusive internal documents from Patriot Frontwhich show that The group is in 49 states and has grown rapidly.

A USA TODAY analysis of the internal documents it obtained revealed that By June of this year the group had more than 540 members. Since it was founded, each year it has sold doubling its number of members. And it gained more than half of its new members in waves over the past two years.

Patriot Front is affiliated with dozens of “active clubs” where he is known to young white supremacists gather and train in mixed martial arts.

The group rigorously controls its advertising and marketing through various guidelines that its members must strictly follow.

In an internal communication leaked to USA TODAY, Thomas Rousseau urges its members to get more involved, stay fit, and continue its relentless campaign of white supremacist propaganda. Besides, requires 600 members by July 4, 2026.

“This is a select group of committed men that far exceeds any other similar group in our country”writes Rousseau. “These teams need committed members. Men willing to work for the cause and not just fight for it,” he adds.

Documents obtained by USA TODAY provide new evidence of the group’s intentions: “work to secure a future for white children.”

He manifest of the group states that In the United States those who are not of European descent are not truly Americans.

“To be an American is to be a descendant of conquerors, pioneers, visionaries and explorers. “This unique identity was bequeathed to us by our ancestors, and this national spirit remains firmly rooted in our blood.”says the manifesto.

“Nationality cannot be granted to those who do not belong to the founding lineage of our people, nor to those who do not share the common spirit that permeates our great civilization and the European diaspora”adds the manifesto.

According to the documentsa Patriot Front candidate wrote: “White nationalist tired of seeing my country raped and looted by foreign invaders.”

Violence and recruitment

The group publicly rejects violence, and documents provided to USA TODAY include instructions for its members to specifically avoid violent or aggressive confrontations.

However, USA TODAY reported that dozens of members of Patriot Front They were charged with conspiracy to riot in 2022 after being arrested on their way to protest a Pride parade in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Five of them were eventually convicted.

Other members have been charged with vandalism for damaging a Pride mural in Olympia, Washingtonand a monument in Richmond, Virginia, commemorating Arthur Ashe, the first black man to win singles tennis titles at Wimbledon, the US Open and the Australian Open.

For its part, the Washington Post reported that in December 2021, Patriot Front He organized a march on Washington and used fake accounts on social networks to amplify his media impact.

The documents show that the recruitment is carefully planned. For this there are manuals on how to identify potential recruits, what questions to ask during interviews, how long to observe a candidate before accepting him, how to avoid infiltrations and how to maintain the confidentiality of the organization.

Admission is not immediate: applicants go through an evaluation process before becoming full members.