Trump & Proud Boys]
Daryl Johnson: “Within the context of Trump’s statements which insinuate future voter fraud, a rigged election, etc., [it] sounds like a subtle endorsement of future use violence by the Proud Boys.”
Photo: YouTube
Last night, President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden participated in the first presidential debate of the 2020 general election–and Trump gave a shoutout to the white supremacist group Proud Boys.
At one point, moderator Chris Wallace asked Trump to denounce white supremacists.
After being pushed again by Wallace to condemn them, Biden specifically asked the president to denounce the far-right, neo-fascist group the Proud Boys. (Founded by Gavin McInnes, who used to be a staple on Fox News and Sean Hannity’s radio show, the Proud Boys have marched at Trump rallies.)
In response to Biden, Trump said, “Proud Boys? Stand back and stand by,” and then quickly moved the conversation by saying, “Somebody’s got to do something about antifa and the left.”
The Proud Boys immediately were thrilled at Trump’s statement.
A former Department of Homeland Security intelligence analyst told The Daily Beast that this all could have grave consequences in the coming months:
“Daryl Johnson, a former Department of Homeland Security intelligence analyst who in 2009 warned of the growing threat of far-right militias, told The Daily Beast that ‘within the context of Trump’s statements which insinuate future voter fraud, a rigged election, etc., [it] sounds like a subtle endorsement of future use violence by the Proud Boys. Again, another statement by the president that fans the flames of fear and seems to support violent far right groups, rather than condemn them.’”
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