The Kyle Rittenhouse trial captured militias’ attention like no other criminal case in recent memory. For them, Rittenhouse embodied the way they see themselves: protectors, keeping their communities from anarchy at the end of a rifle. His acquittal was seen as vindication for them and a green light to continue self-styled armed security.That worries a lot of people. But what’s more worrisome is the celebration of the killings at the heart of the case. The country is starting to get more comfortable with political violence and the Rittenhouse case might be just the beginning.
The podcast Extremely American takes you inside militias and other far-right groups that are trying to remake America in their absolutist image. These groups are quietly growing larger, influencing elections across the country from school boards to the U.S. Congress. Creator and host Heath Druzin traveled the country to meet with these groups — and the people pushing back against them.
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Episode 10: Taking Militias To Court