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Documenting Hate: New American Nazis (full documentary) | FRONTLINE

FRONTLINE PBS | Official・32 minutes read

The rise of violence by white supremacist groups like Atomwaffen poses a threat, as seen in incidents like the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting, leading to concerns about extremist infiltration in the military and the need for increased vigilance and action. Congressman Keith Ellison has called for addressing extremist recruitment in the military ranks and the Pentagon has acknowledged reports of extremist activity, prompting calls for more robust measures to counter such threats.

Insights

  • The resurgence of violent neo-Nazi groups like Atomwaffen, with ties to military members, poses a significant threat to national security and highlights the urgent need for robust measures to counter extremist infiltration and prevent further violent incidents.
  • Daryl Johnson's prescient intelligence report on the rise of white supremacist groups and their potential terrorist threat, despite facing backlash and retraction, underscores the importance of addressing the growing influence of these extremist factions, especially within military ranks, to safeguard against escalating violence and attacks.

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Recent questions

  • What is the Atomwaffen Division's ideology?

    The Atomwaffen Division, a neo-Nazi group, promotes violence and hatred towards minorities, gays, and Jews. Their ideology is influenced by the writings of James Mason, advocating lone wolf attacks. Founded in 2015 by Brandon Russell in Tampa, Florida, Atomwaffen has been linked to violent incidents and extremist activities.

  • What was the outcome of Brandon Russell's arrest?

    Brandon Russell, the founder of Atomwaffen Division, was initially released by the police without charges after being detained along with another member, Devon Arthurs. However, he was later arrested by the FBI on explosives charges. Russell was found with weapons, ammunition, and homemade body armor in his car, leading to a five-year prison sentence for illegal possession of explosives.

  • How did the government respond to white supremacist threats?

    Despite concerns about the government's readiness to combat the white supremacist threat, Congressman Keith Ellison urged the Department of Defense to address the infiltration of extremists within military ranks. The Pentagon disclosed screening new recruits rigorously, acknowledging reports of extremist activity and taking disciplinary actions against service members involved in such activities.

  • What did Daryl Johnson's intelligence report focus on?

    In 2009, Daryl Johnson authored an intelligence report highlighting the rise of white supremacist groups and their ties to the military. The report warned of a growing terrorist threat from white supremacist and anti-government factions, potentially recruiting military veterans. Despite its prescience, the report faced backlash, leading to its retraction and the disbandment of Johnson's unit.

  • What was the motivation behind the Pittsburgh synagogue attack?

    Following a tragic event at a synagogue in Pittsburgh, where a gunman killed 11 people, it was revealed that the attacker was motivated by a white power ideology. The FBI is investigating the attacker's ties to a neo-Nazi group called Atomwaffen, shedding light on the deep-rooted issue of white supremacist groups in America. In response to rising hate crimes, security measures have been implemented in synagogues and schools in Pittsburgh.

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Summary

00:00

Rise of Violent Neo-Nazis in America

  • Bowers stormed into a synagogue in Pittsburgh, expressing his desire to kill Jews.
  • The investigation uncovers violent neo-Nazis who view Jews as a threat to white people.
  • The movement recruits military members and spreads hate.
  • The deadliest attack on the Jewish community in American history occurred in Pittsburgh.
  • The white supremacist movement has seen a resurgence, with violence spreading across the country.
  • The Atomwaffen Division, a neo-Nazi group, promotes violence and hatred towards minorities, gays, and Jews.
  • Atomwaffen's ideology is influenced by the writings of James Mason, advocating lone wolf attacks.
  • Atomwaffen was founded in 2015 by Brandon Russell in Tampa, Florida.
  • Devon Arthurs, a member of Atomwaffen, confessed to killing his roommates and had ties to neo-Nazi beliefs.
  • Inside the Atomwaffen apartment, police found Nazi paraphernalia, guns, radioactive material, and explosives, similar to those used in the Oklahoma City bombing.

16:34

Atomwaffen: Extremist Group's Violent Activities Unveiled

  • Brandon Russell was detained along with Arthur, claiming the explosives were for model rockets, not terrorism.
  • Russell was released by the police without charges but later arrested by the FBI.
  • The FBI issued an arrest warrant for Russell on explosives charges.
  • Russell was found with weapons, ammunition, and homemade body armor in his car.
  • Russell was sentenced to five years in prison for illegal possession of explosives.
  • Atomwaffen continued to operate after Russell's arrest, leading to further violent incidents.
  • Atomwaffen member Nick Giampa allegedly killed his ex-girlfriend's parents in Virginia.
  • Atomwaffen member Sam Woodward was arrested for allegedly killing Blaze Bernstein in California.
  • Atomwaffen was found to be recruiting soldiers and conducting hate camps for training.
  • Atomwaffen member Michael Hubsky organized training sessions and had access to classified information about the West Coast power grid.

32:53

Rising White Supremacist Threat in Military

  • In 2009, Daryl Johnson authored an intelligence report focusing on the rise of white supremacist groups and their ties to the military.
  • Johnson's report highlighted the emergence of Islamophobia due to conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, fueling anti-government militias and white supremacist groups.
  • The report warned of a growing terrorist threat from white supremacist and anti-government factions, potentially recruiting military veterans.
  • Subsequent events have validated the predictions made in Johnson's report, with escalating violence and attacks by these extremist groups.
  • Despite the prescience of Johnson's report, it faced backlash from conservative lawmakers and veterans' groups, leading to its retraction and the disbandment of his unit.
  • Concerns persist about the government's inadequate resources and readiness to combat the white supremacist threat, as highlighted by former Homeland Security officials.
  • Congressman Keith Ellison has urged the Department of Defense to address the infiltration of extremists within the military ranks.
  • The Pentagon disclosed screening new recruits rigorously, acknowledging 27 reports of extremist activity in the past five years, resulting in disciplinary actions against 18 service members.
  • The Southern Poverty Law Center criticized the military's response, deeming it insufficient and urging for heightened vigilance and action against extremist infiltration.
  • Atomwaffen, a neo-Nazi group, has been linked to military members, raising concerns about their strategic recruitment tactics and the need for robust measures to counter such threats.

47:23

"White Power Ideology Fuels Hate Crimes"

  • Trump's slogan "Make America Great Again" is linked to making America white again, indicating a racial aspect to the idea.
  • Following a tragic event at a synagogue in Pittsburgh, where a gunman killed 11 people, it is revealed that the attacker was motivated by a white power ideology.
  • The FBI is investigating the attacker's ties to a neo-Nazi group called Atomwaffen, highlighting the deep-rooted issue of white supremacist groups in America.
  • In response to the rising hate crimes, security measures, including extreme first aid kits, have been implemented in synagogues and schools in Pittsburgh.
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