In Oct 2020 DHS issued a warning of “Violent Extremism in the United States” by Domestic Violent Extremists (DVEs). A footnote describes DVEs as those “…who seek to further political or social goals wholly or in part through unlawful acts of force or violence” plus “…racially or ethnically motivated violent extremists [who]…seek to exploit concerns about social injustice issues to incite violence and exploit otherwise peaceful protests movements”.

On Jan. 6 America witnessed an insurrection in DC. The insurrectionaries displayed flags. Many were yellow with a coiled snake and the words “Don’t Tread On Me”. This is the flag of The Oath Keepers.

The Oath Keepers are identified as extremists by the Anti-Defamation League and the Southern Poverty Law Center. The FBI describes them as a “paramilitary organization”. In 2020 Stewart Rhodes, The Oath Keepers founder, said “Let’s not f*ck around. We’ve descended into civil war”. In August 2020 after Kyle Rittenhouse killed two protestors in Kenosha WI, Rhodes proclaimed Rittenhouse as “a Hero, a Patriot”.  The Oath Keepers fit DHS’s description as DVEs.

The Oath Keepers claim thousands of current and former military, police, and first responders as members. Oath Keepers flags wave in our local communities and their insignia can be seen on vehicles and clothing. All local, state and federal elected officials must publicly announce the actions they will take to root out and address any affiliation by civil servants with The Oath Keepers.  As citizens we must be assured that people who are in public service do not, in fact or through willful ignorance, support The Oath Keepers agenda.