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Right-Wing (often Reactionary) Terrorist Groups
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At least 26 definitions of right wing extremism;
common features include nationalism, racism,
xenophobia, anti-democracy
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Can be both revolutionary and reactionary; often
focused on preserving status quo
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Commonly associated with racial supremacists,
“othering” and “us” versus “them”
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1791 Whiskey Rebellion
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Klu Klux Klan (KKK)
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Wesley Swift - Anglo-Israelism (Americans are the
lost tribes of Israel
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William Potter Gale - Posse Comitatus
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Richard Butler - Aryan Nations
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Often thrive on conspiracy theories
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Protocols of Zion: Jews are out to control the world
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Often emphasize patriotism and anti-gun controls
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Christian Identity: Jews have gained control of the
United States, and white Christians must rise up to
resist this
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RAHOWA - racial holy war
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William Pierce (“Andrew Macdonald”), leader of
the National Alliance (Christian Identity group);
owned Resistance Records, Skinhead hate music
 The Turner Diaries: Race war begins in U.S. after the
government takes away firearms; very anti-Semitic; lots
of “how to” guidance for conducting terror attacks
(including truck bombs)
 Hunter: story of a lone wolf who decides to launch a one-
person revolution
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Leaderless Resistance (Colonel Ulius Amoss, Louis
Beam)
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April 19, 1985 – CSA seige, Elijiah, MO
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Early 1990s – Congress debates Brady Bill (finally
passed and signed into law November 1993)
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August 1992 – Weaver siege, Ruby Ridge, ID
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April 19, 1994 – Branch Davidians siege, Waco, TX
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April 19, 1995 - Oklahoma City (Timothy McVeigh)
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Increase in Right-wing extremist activity
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Internet used to spread conspiracy theories and
racial supremacist ideologies
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Immigration has become hot topic, especially when
combined with economic grievances
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Founded by Richard G. Butler
 Aligned with Church of Jesus Christ-Christian
 bought 20-acre compound, Hayden Lake, near Coeur d'Alene, ID
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Dedicated to “the establishment of a white Aryan
homeland on the North American continent”
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Combines elements of Christian Identity and Neo-Nazi
racial supremacy
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Brought together several right-wing extremist movements
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Founded in early 1980s by Robert Matthews
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Preparing to fight a future war against a
corrupt, Jewish-influenced government
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Armored car heist, bank robberies
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Killed Jewish radio talk show host in Denver
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Founded during 1980s in Texas; claims to have
chapters in Australia, Germany, Hungary, Italy and
New Zealand
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Members involved in assaults, arson, attacks with
knives and isolated shooting incidents
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Hammerskin Press: literature, hate music record
label; rock concerts, etc.
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Advocates violence against all non-whites
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Calls for the overthrow of the U.S. government and the
establishment of an autonomous homeland for whites of
European descent
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Responsible for attacks against blacks, gays, and Jews
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Originally founded in the Pacific Northwest, its leaders
move the headquarters to Arkansas
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Any believer in the cause can be a member
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Richard Kelly Hoskins - book (1990) Vigilantes of
Christiandom: The Story of the Phineas Priesthood
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A leaderless movement of vigilante Christian faithful,
vehemently opposed to racial mixing, fraternization with
Jews, and abortion
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Act in accordance with the ideology; will eventually
reassert the dominance of righteous white Christians on
Earth
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Adherents include Eric Rudolph, Paul Hill, James Kopp,
Clayton Lee Waagner, Paul Evans
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For more, see:
 Global Terrorism Database Profiles
http://www.start.umd.edu/start/data_collections/tops/
 National Counterterrorism Center Profiles
http://www.nctc.gov/site/profiles/index.html
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Racial supremacy, Jewish conspiracy, Christian Identity
Many view themselves as a “revolutionary vanguard” but can
also promote “ leaderless resistance”
Most right-wing groups have failed to achieve their objectives,
but unlike left-wing groups many are still active today