Border militias under the first Trump administration prosperous, emboldened by the rise of anti-immigration and nativist rhetoric. The Oath Keepers, which was one of the largest militias until its founder and dozens of its members were arrested for their role in the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol, had long been engaged in border activities. (This has been a point of friction between some chapters, as some members felt that border vigilance undermined the authority of the Border Patrol and therefore went against their respect for law enforcement.) The Prouds boys apparently would have deployed at the border. Anecdotally, smaller cells have also been launched in search of people who have crossed the border without authorization.

Over the years, many of these groups have operated with carte blanche from local authorities. Sheriff Mark Lamb of Pinal County, Arizona, told the Los Angeles Times that he believes civilian operations along the border are constitutionally protected activities, but he acknowledges that having a group of armed men in camouflage can sometimes create a headache for the forces of order, because “we don’t know who the good guys are and the bad guys often are. (The lamb is a constitutional sheriffmeaning he believes sheriffs hold ultimate authority and are accountable only to God, not the federal government).

Once Trump takes office, some paramilitary types hope to benefit from the government’s tacit authority to engage in self-defense activities at the border. A Telegram group aimed at self-identifying members of various militias has been abuzz over Trump’s border plans. “I would be extremely happy if they replaced civilians in the war against invasion from the borders,” one chat member wrote. “Yes sir, I have inquired about this (with) some close to this administrator,” someone replied. “Something has to be done because the problem is huge and the manpower required will be enormous.” When someone suggested that the militiamen abandon the operations, they were accused by another member of being a “federal” or a “victim of psychological operations that ended the psychological operations.”

“Anyone caught discouraging Patriots from constitutionally uniting on a large scale is suspect,” they wrote. “The basic principle of the militia is to UNITE constitutionally. » Another fantasized about how “once (sic) trained patriots” could deal with cartels at the border during Trump’s mass deportations.

These fantasies have also spread on social networks. “The unconstitutional, illegal, and intentional invasion of borders is the real insurrection, so the act of insurrection should be used and the militia/military should be called in to suppress it immediately,” one person wrote on Truth Social last week . “Godspeed MAGA Militia!! »

And the Proud Boys of South Texas reposted a meme showing a group of soldiers in the back of a truck, with the caption: “The boys and I when we are appointed ICE in Trump’s second term.” »

For some, the idea of ​​being deputized is more than a meme. “We will be informed of the plans at the end of January,” Foley says. “We told them: we are all here if you want us, if you need help with intelligence or reconnaissance. Let us know.