If All Else Fails NCPR
-
- News
-
Far-right extremism is thriving in small, rural communities across the country, gaining the support of mainstream voters and local law enforcement. In this podcast from North Country Public Radio, reporters Emily Russell and Zach Hirsch investigate extremist groups and militia movements in northern New York State, why they're drawing support, and what kinds of threats they pose at a pivotal moment for democracy in the United States.
-
Episode 1: The Far-Right Landscape
When we set out to look at far-right extremism in Upstate New York, we had a few basic questions. What do people believe in? What groups and militias have been active? We found that all kinds of extremist groups have tried to recruit people here.
-
Episode 2: A Sheriff's Oath
There’s a far-right group that teaches sheriffs around the country that they don’t have to enforce laws they think are unconstitutional. Some sheriffs in rural Upstate New York have embraced that idea, including Mike Carpinelli, who also has ties to the Oath Keepers militia.
-
Episode 3: Recruited, Now Reconsidering
A few years ago, another sheriff in rural New York was invited to a far-right group. Sheriff Rich Giardino says he didn’t know how extreme the group was and joined because he was recruited by someone he knew. Now Giardino says he’s rethinking his membership.
-
Episode 4: The Jan. 6 Rabbit Hole
James Bonet went through a political transformation over the last few years, from leaning left to diving deep into the far right. He went down a rabbit hole of conspiracy theories, including about the 2020 presidential election, eventually landing him in federal prison.
-
Episode 5: What We Learned
A conversation with our editor, David Sommerstein, about how we got into this story, what we found, and what’s next.
-
Bonus: More from Jackie Bray
New York State is seeing an "incredible rise" in hate-filled violence and intimidation. That's according to Jackie Bray, the commissioner of New York's Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services. In this interview, Bray talks about the nature of far-right extremism in New York, which groups are active in the state, and the role New Yorkers have in preventing the spread of violent extremism.
Customer Reviews
Superbly done.
As a life long resident who left to join the military and then returned, I saw the shift from purple to red. But I had no idea. So glad to be a supporter of NCPR. Keep up the great journalism!
This is not just ‘North Country’ news…..!
People’s eyes need to be opened. This is an incredible (and unbelievably believable) look into not just ‘North Country’ issues. This is going on through rural US and it is a true threat to Americans and democracy.
I know there are good people everywhere with good intentions, but there are a lot of bad people out there infiltrating our political structures, police, national guard and military forces. If Trump is elected, these people will be at his will. If Trump is not elected, these people will be at his will.
I find it to be a plausible and real threat that needs to be shouted from the rooftops with proof.
Wow!
Great series and exploration on right wing extremism in NY State! Great job and thank you