Far-right militias mobilise across the US – ready for Trump's call to arms

Since Charlie Kirk's killing, recruits have been flocking to white supremacist groups, while violence is also rising on the extreme left, writes Charlotte McDonald-Gibson in Washington

- Charlotte McDonald-Gibson in Washington

The crowd had gathered in the evening light in Virginia Beach to honour the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk, and hundreds of mourners stood solemnly - many with heads bowed - as they listened to tributes, music and prayer for their slain idol.

Milling among the crowd and perched on nearby vantage points, unnoticed by most mourners, were half a dozen members of an informal security force scouting for any trouble. The Virginia Kekoas is a far-right armed militia movement, whose members train in firearms, military tactics and emergency response.

"We were specifically asked to be in the crowd and watching," said Cody Beckner, a member of the group. "Just to make sure that no one tries to do anything dumb."

As President Donald Trump vows to crack down on the "radical left" after the killing of Kirk on 10 September, far-right militias are proving ready, willing and able to act as enforcers, raising fears that the stage is being set for an escalation in political violence.

"I'm torn to say if we're currently in a civil war, but I wouldn't doubt it. It's just not gone hot yet," said Beckner, who blamed the escalation on "leftist politicians inciting violence".

"I don't want violence, but at the same time, what else do we do?"

Since Kirk's killing, extremism monitors have documented a rise in recruitment and mobilisation efforts by groups across the far-right spectrum, from libertarian militias such as the Virginia Kekoas to neo-fascist groups such as Patriot Front.

The far-right Proud Boys group is organising a campaign identifying leftwing activists celebrating Kirk's death, while Stewart Rhodes - former leader of the Oath Keepers militia - is reported to be restarting his group in reaction to Kirk's killing.