Border militia under the first Trump administration flourished, Courage increased as anti-immigration increased indigenous sentiment Rhetoric. The Oath Keepers, which was one of the largest militias until its founder and dozens of its members were arrested for their role in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, has long engaged in border activity. (This was a point of friction among some chapters, as some members felt that Border Vigilance weakened the authority of the Border Patrol and therefore conflicted with their respect for law enforcement.) Allegedly Deployed on the border. Anecdotally, there have also been reports of small cells going out to search for people who have crossed the border unauthorized.
Over the past few years, many of these groups have operated with carte blanche from local authorities. Sheriff Mark Lamb of Pinal County, Arizona told the Los Angeles Times He believes civilian operations at the border are constitutionally protected activity, but acknowledged that a group of armed people running around in disguise can sometimes create headaches for actual law enforcement. , because “we don't know who the good guys are and who the bad guys are often.” (Lamb is a constitutional sheriffWhich means they believe the sheriff holds supreme authority and is answerable only to God, not the federal government).
Once Trump takes office, some paramilitaries hope they will receive tacit authority from the government to engage in border surveillance activities. A Telegram group serving self-identified members of various militias is brimming with discussion about Trump's border plans. “I would be extremely happy if they deployed civilians into the war on invasions from the borders,” one chat member wrote. “Yes sir, I am inquiring about it [with] Someone close to this admin,” someone replied. “Like something has to be done.” [the] The issue is huge and the requirement of manpower will be huge.” When someone suggested that the militia members cease operations, they were accused of being “fed” or “victims of stand down psyops” by another member.
“Anyone discouraging patriots from uniting constitutionally on a large scale is suspect,” he wrote. “The basic premise of a militia is to be constitutionally united.” Another imagined how “pre-trained patriots” might deal with cartels at the border during Trump's mass deportations.
These fantasies have also spread on social media. “Unconstitutional, illegal, deliberate border invasion is the only true rebellion, hence the Insurrection Act should be invoked and militia/army should be called in to put an end to it immediately,” one person wrote on Truth Social last week. “Godspeed Maga Militia!!”
And the Proud Boys of South Texas reposted a meme showing a group of soldiers riding in the back of a truck, with the caption, “Boys and I when we deputized as ICE under Trump's second term Are.”
For some people, the idea of being deputized is more than a meme. “We'll have a breakdown of the plans at the end of January,” says Foley. “We've told them, if you want us, if you need intel, or need solutions, we're all in.” . just let us know.”