Yeah, Oklahoma blew up and the federal anti-terrorism focus was still all, “but what about these groups that vandalized a car dealership?” (I mean, literally.) There was some increased scrutiny specifically of militia-type groups that were heavily armed and talking about overthrowing the US government, but there was a lot of Republican push-back, and after Waco, even that got throttled back. Meanwhile anti-choice terror groups were actually getting aided by some law enforcement…
I think he was responding to Biden’s speech about Jan 6th. Which makes it extra-insane, that just acknowledging it and talking about it is “politicizing” it.
Although Biden attacked Trump for fomenting an actual fucking insurrection. So… political!
The point being made is that there’s a lot of white nationalism in the rank and file, but those who give the orders, and most particularly those who give the orders to THEM, will not support the use of any part of the military to effect a coup.
My college was near Ft Riley, KS, and I remember there were FBI guys who visited the paintball field near me to ask around about militias and what not. (No one like that played there that I was aware of.) I know there were other ties to McVeigh in the area at one point.
Very much so. The U.S. military officer’s oath is significantly different from that of the ranks [key phrase highlighted].
Enlisted:
I, _____, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God."
Commissioned Officer:
I ___, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.
There are certainly officers who’d side with the fascists (the Air Force has a serious Xtianist problem) but most of them take that oath seriously enough that they won’t just blindly follow the orders of superiors when they conflict with the Constitution.
(No one like that played there that I was aware of.) I know there were other ties to McVeigh in the area at one point.