The recent arrest of 13 men, some accused of plotting to kidnap the governor of Michigan and planning to start a civil war, has drawn new attention to the threat posed by right-wing militias in the United States. 

Heavily armed militia members showed up on the steps of the state capitol to protest the governor’s coronavirus restrictions. Some have also taken to the streets in cities across the U.S. this summer in response to the protests against police brutality.

On this week’s episode we are looking into the rise of Right-wing militias in the United States.

What do they want? And, what sort of threat do they actually pose? 

Our panel this week included the following individuals:

• Mark Potok who has studied militias for over 20 years and is a former Senior Fellow at the Southern Poverty Law Center.


• Muhammad Fraser-Rahim, an expert on violent extremism.


• Mary C. Curtis, a columnist for the political publication, Roll Call and host of the “Equal Time” podcast.


• Colin P. Clarke, a Senior Research Fellow at the Soufan.