The Proud Boys, an alt-right group that describes itself as for “Western chauvinists,” apparently does not fit the bill to be a deemed a hate group, says an FBI agent in Oregon. This is a significant shift from what was reported earlier this month.
To review, the Proud Boys have made the news lately as a result of members allegedly attacking protestors after an event where Proud Boys founder, Gavin McInnes, spoke in New York City in October. During the attack, some of which was caught in a now-viral video, Proud Boys members seemingly beat several protestors, yelled homophobic slurs, and then gathered for a group photo before fleeing the scene. Some have since been arrested.
On a lighter note, they’ve also made headlines because Uber drivers and cabs in Philadelphia refused to give them rides after a far-right rally.
While it’s entertaining to watch clips of cars pass by Proud Boys, it shouldn’t take away from how very serious (and potentially dangerous) their ideologies are. They’re white nationalists, misogynists, and decidedly “anti-political correctness.” They’re pro-Trump. Their rhetoric is very anti-Muslim.
For perspective, Proud Boys members appeared at the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, alongside white nationalists and militias.
The Southern Poverty Law Center categorizes them as an “extremist group.”
So, what’s the deal with their FBI categorization?
Renn Cannon, a Special Agent in Charge, said there was a misinterpretation during a slide-show hosted for officials in Vancouver, Washington, as first reported by the Oregonian.
Apparently, FBI agents were briefing law enforcement officials about the Proud Boys, alongside white supremacy groups, militia groups, and other extremist groups. After the briefing, the Clark County Sherrif’s Office released a report which stated that the Proud Boys are an extremist group.
“We do not intend and did not intend to designate the group as extremist,” Cannon explained to the Oregonian, regarding the presentation.
The FBI gave a statement to The Hill elaborating on this, saying:
“The FBI can never initiate an investigation based solely on an individual’s race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, or the exercise of First Amendment rights."
and:
"Our focus is not on membership in particular groups but on individuals who commit violence and criminal activity that constitutes a federal crime or poses a threat to national security...The FBI does not and will not police ideology."
Shortly after reports that the FBI had designated the Proud Boys as an extremist group came out, McInnes publicly separated himself from the group. Though in his declaration, he says it’s “100% about alleviating sentencing.” He called stepping down “100% a legal gesture.”
He even made a YouTube video about it:
Milo Yiannopoulos (formerly of Breitbart notoriety) also “disassociated” himself from the group, referencing his lawyer’s advice to do so.
Where will the Proud Boys go next? Hopefully, away.