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DOMESTIC POLICY

White Nationalism & Extremism

Confronting the Most Persistent Domestic Threat

White nationalist violence is the most persistent and deadly domestic threat in the United States—yet our government continues to overlook it. This page outlines the scale of the threat, the policy double standards that enable it, and what Emgage Action is doing to fight back.

DOMESTIC POLICY

White Nationalism & Extremism

Confronting the Most Persistent Domestic Threat

White nationalist violence is the most persistent and deadly domestic threat in the United States—yet our government continues to overlook it. This page outlines the scale of the threat, the policy double standards that enable it, and what Emgage Action is doing to fight back.

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Escalating Threats

A Growing Threat: What the FBI Is Warning Us About

The FBI has made it clear: white nationalist violence is not just a threat—it is the most persistent and lethal domestic threat facing the United States today.

In its most recent update on domestic terrorism (FBI, Feb 2024), the Bureau explicitly warned that racially or ethnically motivated violent extremists—especially those who promote white supremacy—pose “a continued and serious danger to public safety.” These groups are not isolated actors. They’re part of a growing movement spreading disinformation, coordinating online, and preparing for violence.

Yet despite this data, our government continues to under-resource the fight against white nationalist extremism—focusing instead on Muslim, Black, and immigrant communities.

The Escalating Threat Under Trump 2.0

White nationalist groups are watching—and they know exactly who has their back.

In his first term, Donald Trump refused to condemn white nationalists, infamously calling them “very fine people” after the deadly Charlottesville rally. He deflected blame after mass shootings targeting Black and Latino communities. He emboldened militias and extremists with tweets like “Stand back and stand by.”

Now, with Trump back in power, the danger has only grown. These groups feel protected, vindicated, and mobilized. The white nationalist movement sees this administration as an opportunity to push its agenda through intimidation, violence, and policy.

We are entering a new era of domestic extremism—one where the lines between mainstream politics and white nationalist rhetoric are dangerously blurred.

The Double Standard: Who Gets Called a Terrorist

Here’s the truth: not a single white nationalist group has been designated as a terrorist organization in the United States. Meanwhile, the U.S. government has spent decades surveilling, prosecuting, and vilifying Muslim Americans under the banner of “counterterrorism.”

Foreign branches of white nationalist groups have been labeled as terrorist organizations by countries like the U.K., Canada, and Germany. Yet their U.S. affiliates continue to operate freely—recruiting online, organizing armed rallies, and spreading hate without consequence.

Programs like CVE (Countering Violent Extremism) still target Muslim students, mosques, and immigrant neighborhoods—despite the lack of any evidence that they’re the primary source of extremist violence.

The message is clear: if you’re Muslim or Black, you’re labeled a threat. If you’re white and armed, you’re given a pass.

White Nationalist & Neo-Nazi Groups Not Designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations

1. Atomwaffen Division (AWD)

Ideology: Neo-Nazi, accelerationist

U.S. Presence: Founded in the U.S. in 2013; has operated across multiple states

Foreign Designations: Canada (2021), UK (2020), Australia

U.S. Status: Not designated as a terrorist organization

2. The Base

Ideology: Neo-Nazi, white supremacist, accelerationist

U.S. Presence: Founded in the U.S. in 2018; active recruitment and training

Foreign Designations: Canada (2021), UK (2021), Australia, NZ (2022), EU (2024)

U.S. Status: Not designated as a terrorist organization

3. Blood & Honour / Combat 18

Ideology: Neo-Nazi, white supremacist

U.S. Presence: Active chapters and affiliates in the U.S.

Foreign Designations: Canada (2019), UK (asset freeze 2025), Germany (banned 2020)

U.S. Status: Not designated as terrorist organizations

4. Nordic Resistance Movement (NRM)

Ideology: Neo-Nazi, pan-Nordic white supremacist

U.S. Presence: Linked to U.S.-based groups

Foreign Designations: Finland (banned 2019), SDGT by U.S. (2024)

U.S. Status: Not listed as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO)

5. Order of Nine Angles (O9A)

Ideology: Neo-Nazi, satanist, accelerationist

U.S. Presence: Influence through propaganda, ties to AWD

Foreign Designations: Under scrutiny globally; not formally designated

U.S. Status: Not designated as a terrorist organization

6. National Action

Ideology: Neo-Nazi, white supremacist

U.S. Presence: No active branches, but influences U.S. groups

Foreign Designations: UK (proscribed 2016)

U.S. Status: Not designated as a terrorist organization

Note: While some of these groups have been designated under the U.S. Department of State's Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) list, they are not listed as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs), which carries different legal implications.

The lack of formal terrorist designations for these groups within the U.S. contrasts with actions taken by other countries, highlighting a discrepancy in addressing the threat posed by white nationalist and neo-Nazi organizations.

Emgage Action’s Policy Recommendations

Co-Authoring Reports

📝 Co-authored a landmark report with MPAC after the January 6th insurrection, calling for a full-scale federal pivot toward white nationalist domestic terrorism.

Exposing Double Standards

Engaging elected officials to expose double standards in terrorism prosecutions and demand equal accountability.

Community Mobilization

📢 Mobilizing Muslim American communities to fight back against policies that criminalize our existence while ignoring actual threats.

Policy Demands

- Designate white nationalist groups as terrorist organizations.
- Redirect federal resources toward dismantling violent networks.
- Hold prosecutors accountable for double standards.
- Protect civil liberties and prevent overbroad expansions of counterterrorism powers.

This fight isn’t just about policy—it’s about survival. The United States cannot claim to care about national security while it turns a blind eye to the most dangerous threat within its borders.

© Emgage Action 2025