Headlines on extremism and the radical right that caught our attention.
Friend,
Every week, we highlight stories on extremism and the radical right from the Southern Poverty Law Center’s Intelligence Project. Here are stories that caught our attention over the past week:
Kentucky politician claimed Jewish people promote “white genocide”
- TJ Roberts, a politician from Boone County, Kentucky, said he was “sick of [Jewish people] promoting white genocide” in a private 2017 chat that Hatewatch obtained. “White genocide,” or the great replacement conspiracy theory, is the unfounded claim that elites are attempting to dilute white-majority nations with immigrants.
- Roberts’ political activism looks like it began in far-right libertarian circles. He was a contributor to the Liberty Hangout, a far-right libertarian outlet that used to collaborate with white nationalist Augustus Invictus’ defunct website. He was also part of a university group that invited white nationalist Richard Spencer to speak at a conference in 2017. Roberts declined to comment. Hatewatch shared the conversation with Rep. Thomas Massie, who has supported Roberts. Massie responded that he would “double” his support for Roberts.
- In a statement to the Lexington Herald-Leader, Roberts said he remembered the chat but that his comment was taken out of context. He has denied making antisemitic comments.
Texas company paid over $20 million to antigovernment group to bus immigrants
- Hatewatch obtained documents that show Wynne Transportation, the company the state of Texas contracts to bus immigrants from the U.S.-Mexico border as part of “Operation Lone Star,” paid antigovernment extremist Mayhem Solutions Group (MSG) tens of millions of dollars. A subcontractor who worked for Mayhem has called the conditions on these buses “inhumane.” The documents also reveal a tangled web of limited liability companies that conduct the busing on behalf of Wynne Transportation.
- Hatewatch has previously reported on MSG’s sometimes unlicensed activities as a private investigations and security firm across the U.S.
John Eastman disbarred over ‘unethical acts’
- Former Trump team attorney John Eastman has been disbarred over “unethical” actions in relation to his legal attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election, Hatewatch reported. The California Bar’s website listed him as “not eligible to practice law” as of April 2. Judge Yvette Roland recommended that “the serious and extensive nature of Eastman’s unethical actions, the most severe available professional sanction [disbarment] is warranted to protect the public and preserve the public confidence in the legal system.” Eastman has appealed and it will be up to the California Supreme Court to issue a final order.
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Sincerely,
Your friends at the Southern Poverty Law Center
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