On 27 April, the Patriot Front (PF) marched through Charleston, West Virginia. The Patriot Front demonstration coincided with a local anti-racism fundraiser. The Anti-Defamation League described the group as “white supremacists” whose members “maintain that their ancestors conquered America and bequeathed it to them, and no one else.” [source] As one of the United States’ most active white supremacist groups, PF’s activities are non-violent and typically involve spreading propaganda and staging rallies to intimidate minority groups.
In 2022, a Patriot Front rally in Idaho saw 31 members arrested. Consequently, throughout 2023 the group became embroiled in a legal battle with local Idaho courts. In November 2023, the case against PF’s founder and leader, Thomas Rousseau, was dismissed and he has since sought to rekindle the group’s 2022 reputation.
Key Judgements
Key Judgement 1. It is highly likely Patriot Front has experienced minimal membership growth over the past 24 months despite increased publicity.
Key Judgement 2. It is highly unlikely Patriot Front’s legal battles over the past 24 months have encouraged the group to limit its racial intimidation tactics and propaganda operations.
Key Judgement 3. It is likely stagnating membership numbers have driven Patriot Front to expand their activities beyond traditional strongholds over the past 24 months.
