Militia of Montana

The Militia is a white nationalist group consisting of right wing anti-government extremists. They believe the Ra-Ho-Wa will be found in paramilitary fashion and consider themselves more like soldiers. Members of the militia group are often arrested under the premise of numerous encounters and problems with law enforcement. Most often it is because of charges related to weapons, explosives or conspiracy. 

The Militia is a relatively young movement in the US, starting in the early 90’s not long after the deadly standoff at Waco, Texas. The Waco siege occurred when the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) attempted to search the Branch Davidian ranch, which was a Seventh Day Adventist branch. Soon thereafter, the search broke out into a gun battle that lasted around two hours. The FBI in turn got involved by initiating a siege on the ranch that lasted 50 days, which lead to an assault on the compound resulting in a fire that destroyed the area. The fire killed 76 people, including women and children. This angered many people and lead to numerous anti-government breakouts including the Timothy McVeigh Oklahoma City bombing, and eventually the creation of the Militia. Although Timothy McVeigh was not directly tied to the Militia, it demonstrates a prime example of Daniels Lone Wolf concept. This concept refers to people not directly affiliated with a movement, but working as individuals towards the Common Goal. 

 Images from Waco

Post Waco and the Oklahoma City Bombing, roughly 8 men created the Militia. One of these men, named John Trochmann from Noxon, Montana, currently leads the Militia of Montana. The reason I bring about this branch is because it hits closer to home. I am from Missoula, Montana and having grown up surrounded by its rural aesthetic beauty, it’s no wonder white supremacists find home in its remote areas. Montana is primarily white, with less than one percent of the population being African American as well. Pictured below is a pie chart of the statewide racial disparity. Considered a red state, right wing extremists aren’t hard to find throughout.

 

In an interview with John Trochman, a prominent leader of the Militia and the creator of the Montana branch, he talks about how “gun control is people control”. With an apparent focus on firearms and violence, it’s of no wonder members do sometimes end up in prison. In 1995, the Militia of Montana claimed to have nearly 12,000 members. With the state population being less than one million, and a probable increase in membership with the Obama Administration, Montana is known to house one of the largest branches of Militia.

 

Jeff Davis interview with John Trochman

The Militia of Montana spurred quite a bit of uproar in 2000 during the Y2K affair. The social collapse such an event would cause brought about an increase in membership along with numerous new conspiracy theories. Membership dwindled however when the expected social collapse did not occur. With new conspiracy theories tied to September 11, 2001 along with the financial collapse of Wall Street, a slight influx was brought about. 

John Trochman, with other key MOM members at a meeting at Capitol Hill

 

With a strong anti-government and extremist basis along with the roots of the Militia of Montana being housed in such a prominently white state, the group will likely sustain and continue to fall and prosper. Governmental flaws tend to bring about new members to numerous white supremacist groups, so while the government remains predominantly democratic tied with an imperfect system, the Militia of Montana will likely continue to endure.