The Southern Poverty Law Center announced on Monday a decrease in hate groups across the United States, though warned the threat – and increasing cooperation – of far-right activists is rising.
SPLC noted in its annual Year in Hate and Extremism report there were 838 active hate groups in the US, ranging from white supremacists to far-right anti-government militias. This was 102 fewer than 2019, but researchers said during a Monday news conference this reflects a lack of need for hierarchal groups and a move to a widespread social movement invigorated by former President Donald Trump.
Trump’s refusal to condemn the January 6 insurrection that aimed to keep him in power and was based on refuted claims about election fraud alarmed the researchers. He “even praised the rioters, calling them ‘patriots,’ saying ‘we love you’ and ‘you are very special'”, the report noted.