Congress Can and Should Address the Threat from Unauthorized Paramilitary Activity

January 24, 2022 | Mary McCord | Just Security

A year after the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, the United States remains politically and culturally polarized. Recent polling suggests alarming numbers of Americans believe that violence against the government may be justified. Many factors have led to this, requiring many different solutions, but one of the most dangerous developments has been the proliferation of unauthorized paramilitary organizations. Such organizations have been a significant contributor to the growing perception that political violence is acceptable, if not inevitable. The growth of these groups is also a result of these public sentiments, creating a vicious cycle. The threat posed by unauthorized paramilitary organizations—frequently referred to as “militias”—is an identifiable problem that can be addressed at least in part through federal legislation. Now is the time for Congress to enact a federal prohibition on unauthorized paramilitary activity. …