Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

demmiblue

(38,250 posts)
Sat Jan 4, 2025, 08:24 AM Jan 2025

Pro Publica: The Militia and the Mole



Reporting Highlights

- A Freelance Vigilante: A wilderness survival trainer spent years undercover, climbing the ranks of right-wing militias. He didn’t tell police or the FBI. He didn’t tell his family or friends.

- The Future of Militias: He penetrated a new generation of militia leaders, which included doctors and government attorneys. Experts say that militias could have a renaissance under Donald Trump.

- A Secret Trove: He sent ProPublica a massive trove of documents. The conversations that he secretly recorded give a unique, startling window into the militia movement.

These highlights were written by the reporters and editors who worked on this story.

John Williams kept a backpack filled with everything he’d need to go on the run: three pairs of socks; a few hundred dollars cash; makeshift disguises and lock-picking gear; medical supplies, vitamins and high-calorie energy gels; and thumb drives that each held more than 100 gigabytes of encrypted documents, which he would quickly distribute if he were about to be arrested or killed.

On April 1, 2023, Williams retrieved the bag from his closet and rushed to his car. He had no time to clean the dishes that had accumulated in his apartment. He did not know if armed men were out looking for him. He did not know if he would ever feel safe to return. He parked his car for the night in the foothills overlooking Salt Lake City and curled up his 6-foot-4-inch frame in the back seat of the 20-year-old Honda. This was his new home.

He turned on a recording app to add an entry to his diary. His voice had the high-pitched rasp of a lifelong smoker: “Where to fucking start,” he sighed, taking a deep breath. After more than two years undercover, he’d been growing rash and impulsive. He had feared someone was in danger and tried to warn him, but it backfired. Williams was sure at least one person knew he was a double agent now, he said into his phone. “It’s only a matter of time before it gets back to the rest.”

In the daylight, Williams dropped an envelope with no return address in a U.S. Postal Service mailbox. He’d loaded it with a flash drive and a gold Oath Keepers medallion.


https://www.propublica.org/article/ap3-oath-keepers-militia-mole
17 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Pro Publica: The Militia and the Mole (Original Post) demmiblue Jan 2025 OP
Exceptional reporting. Mike Niendorff Jan 2025 #1
The next paragraph from the excerpt: "It was addressed to me." erronis Jan 2025 #2
One of a few actual investigative operations I've become aware of underpants Jan 2025 #4
K&R SheltieLover Jan 2025 #3
I hope everyone reads the entire article UpInArms Jan 2025 #5
A must read. nt Hotler Jan 2025 #6
Came here to post leighbythesea2 Jan 2025 #7
Good read - the whole thing. Pulitzer prize winning reporter at an important outlet. Thanks for posting. . . . nt Bernardo de La Paz Jan 2025 #8
KNR and bookmarking for later. niyad Jan 2025 #9
Great article, thanks. rec, nt. Mc Mike Jan 2025 #10
Damn good read. flying rabbit Jan 2025 #11
Just donated to ProPublica Greyhead Jan 2025 #12
Great read KS Toronado Jan 2025 #13
I started the article- have to come back nt duhneece Jan 2025 #14
K&R! highplainsdem Jan 2025 #15
A phenomenal article. Mesmerizing and troubling. summer_in_TX Jan 2025 #16
I've only reached the half way mark on this article. It's remarkable so far. msfiddlestix Jan 2025 #17

erronis

(19,184 posts)
2. The next paragraph from the excerpt: "It was addressed to me."
Sat Jan 4, 2025, 09:58 AM
Jan 2025

The author and ProPublica had become a locus for truth. Perhaps a position similar to what the NYT or WaPo once held.

underpants

(190,083 posts)
4. One of a few actual investigative operations I've become aware of
Sat Jan 4, 2025, 10:19 AM
Jan 2025

Yes they have eclipsed and lapped the old standards for leaks and follow up. ProPublica is a great operation. When Uvalde happened a few DU’ers said that the Texas Tribune would be all over it. They were the source/cause of all the information that we got including the videos of cops waiting in the hallway.

Bernardo de La Paz

(54,847 posts)
8. Good read - the whole thing. Pulitzer prize winning reporter at an important outlet. Thanks for posting. . . . nt
Sat Jan 4, 2025, 10:51 AM
Jan 2025

Greyhead

(137 posts)
12. Just donated to ProPublica
Sat Jan 4, 2025, 11:33 AM
Jan 2025

Great read. Waiting for more to come. Especially names!!
But with dipshit in charge, he’ll probably make them leaders of his brown shirts.
I didn’t realize what a cesspool this country is.
All I can say is that I hope I’m wrong where I think this country is heading.

summer_in_TX

(3,553 posts)
16. A phenomenal article. Mesmerizing and troubling.
Sun Jan 5, 2025, 02:39 AM
Jan 2025

I hope it gets national coverage. Not holding my breath though.

msfiddlestix

(8,043 posts)
17. I've only reached the half way mark on this article. It's remarkable so far.
Mon Jan 6, 2025, 03:10 PM
Jan 2025

where I left off is when he's decided to dabble in art of spycraft after January 6th. before then, he trained these guys. the 3 percenters etc. and then he's like mortified at the results, and then he's keen on becomong a 'mole' It's fascinating on the one hand, but the more I read and learn of his exploits, the more is revealed and that is quite honestly scary.


Side note: I'm wondering propublica publishes audio formats of their publications.
If anyone knows, pass it on please. Vision issues make it exceedingly difficult for me to read lengthy articles, but now I have a device for the blind and visually impaired which streams books podcasts and other publications into audio format. but the learning curve for me in navigating is steep.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Pro Publica: The Militia ...