The United States' far-right extremist groups, particularly the Proud Boys, have lost a significant role to support Donald Trump's policies since his departure from office in 2021. The group's leaders languished in jail for their involvement in the January 6 attack on the Capitol.
However, following Trump's return and the release of all January 6 prisoners, there are now no incentives for Proud Boys members to engage in activism as heavily armed agents representing the Trump administration have taken the reins in addressing left-wing protests.
For instance, anti-ICE protesters flooded towns and cities across the US since a masked federal agent shot and killed Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis. In response, instead of confronting the protesters or defending Trump's hard-line immigration crackdown, Proud Boys are now focusing on providing personal security for right-wing influencers who document ICE raids.
A review of hundreds of Telegram channels operated by Proud Boy chapters across the country found that there were no public calls to mobilize and defend ICE from protesters. Instead, members of these channels have been sharing misogynistic and homophobic content in response to Good's death.
Experts point out that with law enforcement willing to abuse their powers, there is no reason why Proud Boys need to be involved. "When you've got law enforcement that seems so willing to abuse their powers, why get in trouble," says Wendy Via, cofounder and president of the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism.
Furthermore, Telegram channels operated by Proud Boy chapters have praised ICE's work in Minneapolis, while also sharing pro-ICE propaganda from right-wing influencers such as Nick Sortor and Cam Higby.
Former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio has even offered to provide personal protection for these influencers, despite being convicted of seditious conspiracy related to the January 6 riots at the Capitol.
White nationalist ideology is masked in some far-right extremist groups that use a veneer of fitness and male bonding. However, Proud Boys have largely become redundant, with members content to sit back, watch, and post in response to anti-ICE protests.
However, following Trump's return and the release of all January 6 prisoners, there are now no incentives for Proud Boys members to engage in activism as heavily armed agents representing the Trump administration have taken the reins in addressing left-wing protests.
For instance, anti-ICE protesters flooded towns and cities across the US since a masked federal agent shot and killed Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis. In response, instead of confronting the protesters or defending Trump's hard-line immigration crackdown, Proud Boys are now focusing on providing personal security for right-wing influencers who document ICE raids.
A review of hundreds of Telegram channels operated by Proud Boy chapters across the country found that there were no public calls to mobilize and defend ICE from protesters. Instead, members of these channels have been sharing misogynistic and homophobic content in response to Good's death.
Experts point out that with law enforcement willing to abuse their powers, there is no reason why Proud Boys need to be involved. "When you've got law enforcement that seems so willing to abuse their powers, why get in trouble," says Wendy Via, cofounder and president of the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism.
Furthermore, Telegram channels operated by Proud Boy chapters have praised ICE's work in Minneapolis, while also sharing pro-ICE propaganda from right-wing influencers such as Nick Sortor and Cam Higby.
Former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio has even offered to provide personal protection for these influencers, despite being convicted of seditious conspiracy related to the January 6 riots at the Capitol.
White nationalist ideology is masked in some far-right extremist groups that use a veneer of fitness and male bonding. However, Proud Boys have largely become redundant, with members content to sit back, watch, and post in response to anti-ICE protests.
so it's like they used to be all about causing trouble but now they're just chillin' because the pro-trump guys are doin' the heavy lifting? 
and honestly it makes sense, who needs to get involved when there's a team of armed agents ready to handle the protests for you? 
i mean i can see why they'd wanna focus on protecting their own influencers instead of getting into some potential trouble with anti-ice protesters. and yeah that white nationalist vibe is still pretty prevalent, but at least they're not as in-your-face about it anymore 
I mean, can you believe it? The Proud Boys are like, totally irrelevant now 
. They're just sitting back, watching these right-wing influencers get protected by the Trump admin's goons 
, and then they just chill in their Telegram channels, sharing some toxic misogyny and homophobia 
It's like, you've got a good thing going (or not) with ICE raids, and now it's just all about protecting these influencers from protesters. Meanwhile, former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio is offering to provide security for these guys? 
Like, what a joke!
I'm not sure if it's a good thing for the Proud Boys to lose their role in activism since Trump left office 
. And to be honest, I'm kinda surprised they're not taking a stand against ICE anymore 
. They used to be all about defending Trump's policies, but now it seems like they're just more concerned with protecting their own skin 
. Maybe this is the end of an era for Proud Boys? 
Those Proud Boys were always a super worrying group 
and now it seems like they've lost all sense of purpose. Instead of standing up for Trump's policies, they're just focusing on being personal bodyguards for right-wing influencers 
I mean, what happened to Enrique Tarrio offering his services? Was he just trolling us or is this the new Proud Boys? 
. I don't know, maybe I'm just feeling a little down on them 
and I guess that ship sailed when Trump left office 
now they're just chillin', sharing some hate speech and living their best lives 
what's next, right?