The Birth of Patriot Front
In the shadow of the chaotic and tragic “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in August 2017, a young, determined figure named Thomas Ryan Rousseau stepped into the harsh light of national attention. A teenager with a history of writing conservative opinion columns for his high school newspaper, Rousseau was already steeped in far-right ideology. When the rally’s violence, including the death of Heather Heyer, painted Vanguard America, his then-group, with a tar of negative publicity, Rousseau saw an opportunity. He rebranded, creating what would become known as Patriot Front – a name meant to evoke a sense of American pride while masking its extremist roots.
CNN: Here’s what we know about Patriot Front, its young leader and how it’s different
Patriot Front “is a white nationalist hate group that formed in the aftermath of the deadly ‘Unite the Right’ rally in Charlottesville, Virginia,” the Southern Poverty Law Center said.
“The organization broke off from Vanguard America (VA), a neo-Nazi group that participated in the chaotic demonstration,” the SPLC said.
“Patriot Front is a white supremacist group whose members maintain that their ancestors conquered America and bequeathed it to them, and no one else,” the ADL said.
Patriot Front Lincoln Memorial march vpx
“Patriot Front justifies its ideology of hate and intolerance under the guise of preserving the ethnic and cultural origins of its members’ European ancestors.”
Leadership and Ideology: The Faceless Command
Patriot Front is led by Thomas Rousseau, a figure who has managed to keep his face out of the public eye during demonstrations, contrasting with his members who often conceal their identities behind masks. The group’s ideology is unapologetically white supremacist, advocating for a “Pan-European” America, where only those of European descent are considered truly American. Their manifesto speaks of reclaiming a nation they believe has been lost to multiculturalism, with phrases like “America is a bleeding carcass bereft of the moral foundations which made it powerful.”
Their use of American symbols like the Betsy Ross flag, coupled with fascist iconography like the fasces, is an attempt to mainstream their white nationalism, presenting it under the guise of patriotism. This aesthetic choice is strategic, aiming to attract those who might be on the fence, those who are perhaps disaffected but not yet radicalized.
Activities and Expansion: The Propaganda Machine
Patriot Front’s activities are multifaceted, focusing heavily on propaganda. They engage in “flash demonstrations” – sudden, unannounced public appearances meant to intimidate and to create viral content for online dissemination. Their members have been known to plaster cities with flyers, vandalize murals celebrating diversity, and disrupt events like Pride parades. In 2021 alone, they were responsible for a significant portion of racist, antisemitic propaganda distribution across the U.S.
The group’s structure is hierarchical, with Rousseau at the apex, supported by a network of regional leaders who organize these local actions. The emphasis on physical fitness and paramilitary-like training sessions suggests a readiness for confrontation, though they publicly avoid explicit endorsements of violence.
Controversy and Conspiracy: The Federal Agent Allegations
Perhaps one of the most enduring and controversial aspects of Patriot Front’s narrative is the claim by some that the group is filled with federal agents. Posts on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) have fueled this speculation, with some users arguing that the group’s activities, especially their high-profile arrests, seem too convenient or orchestrated to be purely organic. The theory suggests that the FBI might use groups like Patriot Front to monitor or even instigate radical movements, providing a preemptive intelligence operation or even entrapment scenarios.
While no definitive evidence has been publicly released by official sources to confirm these allegations, the heavy redactions in FBI documents related to the group, as noted in some online discussions, add layers of mystery. The idea that many members might be federal informants or agents could explain the group’s ability to organize and move across state lines with such coordination, yet this remains speculative.
Gateway Pundit: SURPRISE! FBI Declassifies 950 Pages on Suspected Fed Front Group Patriot Front – Nearly Every Page Is FULLY REDACTED
Since the Patriot front group first appeared, The Gateway Pundit always suspected they had links to the Feds. We were convinced federal agents infiltrated the group.
The Patriot Front group founder, Thomas Rousseau, first made headlines in 2017 when he participated in the famous Tiki Torch march in Charlottesville, Virginia. Now, he is the leader of the Patriot Front.
Patriot Front was later organized by Thomas Rousseau in the immediate aftermath of 2017’s Unite the Right march in Charlottesville, VA.
This young man had been previously arrested, as noted below. The FBI is notorious for taking individuals who have been arrested and then, through threats, the agency persuades them to work with the FBI as informants.
TGP also located some notes related to interviews the Patriot Front has had with potential candidates for the group. In these notes for one individual identified as Gabriel in California, it was revealed that this candidate is a government informant. Four individuals also offer references on the guy.
Obviously, it is quite clear that the Patriot Front group has close ties to the federal government.
What the hell is our government doing, setting up innocent Americans in their petty crime schemes?
The topic of federal involvement with the white nationalist group Patriot Front has been subject to speculation, conspiracy theories, and some documented interactions. Here’s an analysis based on available online evidence:
Official FBI Documentation:
FBI Records: The FBI has released documents related to Patriot Front, which can be accessed through the FBI’s “Vault” online database. These documents, while heavily redacted, indicate that the FBI has had some level of interaction or investigation concerning Patriot Front. For instance, records show that the FBI has held interviews with members of the group, suggesting at least monitoring or intelligence gathering. However, these documents do not directly confirm infiltration or that the group is “run by” the FBI.
Media Reports and Analyses:
News Coverage: Various news outlets have reported on the arrests of Patriot Front members, particularly around events in Idaho where 31 members were arrested for allegedly planning to riot at a Pride event. These reports often mention that local law enforcement was in contact with the FBI, indicating some level of federal involvement in monitoring or responding to the group’s activities. However, these interactions are typically framed within the context of law enforcement responding to criminal activity rather than orchestrating it.
Conspiracy Theories on Social Media:
X Posts: There are numerous posts on X suggesting that Patriot Front is a creation or heavily infiltrated by federal agencies to discredit conservative movements or to perform operations under the guise of a white supremacist group. These claims are often based on the group’s seemingly organized nature and the lack of media exposure on individual members. However, these theories are speculative and lack concrete evidence beyond the observation of coordinated actions and anonymity practices which could also be explained by the group’s own security measures or tactics.
Lawfare: “Fed Front”: Conspiracy Theories About Federal Government Involvement in Far-Right Extremism Resurface
The conspiracy theory actually arises out of one of the group’s signature sartorial choices: the face coverings worn by Patriot Front members during demonstrations. These are meant to conceal the identities of members against a government they believe—as Rousseau himself has said—has “proven itself not to protect free speech” or “the right of individuals to protest those in power.” But according to Matt Novak, writing in Forbes magazine, it has “allowed the conspiracy theory that they’re actually a bunch of federal agents to proliferate online.” This conspiracy theory—which has often redubbed the group “Fed Front”—claims that the FBI created Patriot Front as a way to sow “discord and racial hatred among Americans.”
Let’s be clear: There is no evidence to support the Fed Front conspiracy theory. Of being an FBI front, the group is innocent. They are legit racists.
Legal Actions and Statements:
Lawsuits and Public Statements: There have been instances where legal actions have inadvertently highlighted FBI involvement in related contexts. For example, during the prosecution of Patriot Front members in Idaho, issues with evidence handling by local prosecutors suggested FBI involvement in evidence collection or analysis, but this was more indicative of inter-agency cooperation rather than control over the group.
InvestigateWest: How local Idaho prosecutors lost the case against Patriot Front’s white nationalist leader
While most of Rousseau’s underlings have either been found guilty of conspiracy to riot or pleaded to a lesser infraction, Judge John Cafferty dismissed the case against the white nationalist leader in November.
“This is an important case. It should not be dismissed lightly,” Cafferty said, according to court transcripts. “I tried to do what I could to not get to this point.”
But after a year and a half of delays, lost evidence and failures of prosecutors to follow court orders, he said he didn’t have a choice. The prosecutors, on the other hand, blamed judges and defense attorneys for the case devolving “into a forum for fishing expeditions justified by nothing more than bumper sticker claims.”
In all, it highlights just how difficult it is for an overwhelmed and understaffed team of prosecutors to take on a case involving so many extremists at once.
After trying to represent himself for six months, Rousseau applied for a public defender in December 2022. Instead, he was handed private attorney Kinzo Mihara. Mihara was a Marine veteran who’d been given a Carnegie Medal for dragging a man from a burning helicopter cockpit, and not afraid to brag about it in court.
But ultimately Mihara’s tactics worked. He managed to turn a key collection of evidence — what may have seemed like a massive coup for law enforcement — into the prosecution’s downfall.
Yet the frustration in courtrooms over the prosecution’s approach was building. Court transcripts show a litany of complaints from several judges: Prosecutors had released evidence to the defense in “drips and drabs.” Filings were coming in late. Necessary objections weren’t being properly filed. Court orders to disclose weren’t being followed. The city would claim they’d turned over everything, only to announce they found more they needed to turn over.
Finally, one judge had had enough.
“I have never, in my 10 years, seen anything that even approaches this level of failure to properly disclose evidence,” Randles said, according to court transcripts.
In August, he dismissed the case against one Patriot Front defendant, Richard Jessop of Idaho. In November, Judge Cafferty followed suit, dismissing the case against Rousseau.
Expert Analysis:
Commentary and Research: Experts on extremism and law enforcement have noted that while the FBI does use informants and undercover operations, the portrayal of the Patriot Front as an entirely fabricated group by the FBI is not supported by substantial evidence. Instead, these experts suggest a more nuanced view where the FBI might have informants or has monitored the group but not that it creates or fully controls such organizations.
In conclusion, while there is evidence of the FBI’s interaction with Patriot Front, particularly in the context of monitoring, investigation, or responding to criminal activities, claims that the group is run by or a creation of the FBI are speculative and lack definitive proof. The available evidence points more towards standard law enforcement practices in dealing with extremist groups rather than orchestrating one for political or strategic purposes. However, the heavy redaction of FBI documents and the nature of undercover work means that a full picture might not be publicly available.
Conclusion: The Echoes of Extremism
Patriot Front represents a modern evolution of white supremacist groups in America, using the flag of the nation as a shield for their hate. Under Thomas Rousseau’s leadership, they’ve managed to refine their public image, making their message more palatable to those who might not engage with overt neo-Nazi symbols. However, as they march under the guise of patriotism, their actions and ideology reveal a darker intent – one that seeks to reverse the inclusive progress of the nation. Whether or not they are infiltrated by federal agents, the group’s existence underscores the persistent challenge of confronting extremist ideologies that cloak themselves in the symbols and language of national pride.