Whether it was protesting Covid lockdowns, attending school board meetings, or confronting Black Lives Matter activists, the far-right Proud Boys consistently rallied behind Donald Trump during his first term. After Trump left office in 2021, many of the group’s leaders found themselves in jail for their part in the January 6 Capitol attack. With reported infighting weakening the organization, it seemed like its prominent days were in the past.
However, Trump’s return a year ago, along with his release of all January 6 prisoners, hinted at a possible comeback for the Proud Boys. While there have been sporadic signs of increased activity, the truth is that Trump’s militarized approach to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency and the Border Patrol, along with his use of white nationalist language, has left the Proud Boys searching for their purpose. There isn’t much motivation for them to hit the streets when heavily armed officials from the Trump administration are already clashing with left-wing protesters.
This became glaringly obvious just last week, as anti-ICE protesters filled the streets nationwide following the shooting of Renee Nicole Good by a federal agent in Minneapolis. Instead of showing up to oppose the protesters and defend Trump’s firm immigration policies, the Proud Boys have mostly resorted to sharing provocative memes and offering personal security to right-wing influencers keeping tabs on ICE’s anti-immigrant actions.
A review by WIRED of numerous Telegram channels linked to Proud Boy chapters and other far-right groups shows a lack of calls for mobilization or action to defend ICE from protests. Instead, Telegram channels are filled with deeply misogynistic and homophobic posts, including AI-generated content involving Good and her wife. Wendy Via, cofounder and president of the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism, notes that the channels seem almost delighted by the shooting, stating, “They are very enthused about what’s happening, because for many of them, [ICE and DHS are] following what their blueprint would have been anyway.” She added that with law enforcement seemingly willing to misuse their power, the Proud Boys have little reason to take risks.
Amidst the celebrations surrounding Good’s death, Proud Boys are also praising ICE’s actions in Minneapolis. One member from the North Carolina chapter, Cape Fear Proud Boys, posted on Telegram, “You’re an ICE agent in Minneapolis. Five and a half years after George Floyd, in the same city, you subdue a prisoner with your knee. Imagine being that based.”
There have been some claims of impending action. Right-wing influencers Nick Sortor and Cam Higby alleged they were attacked while filming in Minneapolis, prompting former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio to offer assistance. “I reached out to both [Nick] and Cam with an offer for personal detail,” wrote Tarrio, who was convicted of seditious conspiracy related to the Capitol riots. “Waiting for a reply. We have a great solution for both of them,” he added.
