This excerpt originally appeared in Policing White Supremacy: The Enemy Within, published by The New Press.
The threat posed by white supremacists within the police force presents a significant concern for the safety of the communities they are meant to serve. Despite this, the FBI has shown reluctance to acknowledge the severity of the issue. In a notable instance, FBI officials declined to testify at a House of Representatives hearing about the persistent racism and white supremacy within law enforcement, despite being invited by Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD). Raskin expressed frustration that the FBI dismissed previous intelligence reports highlighting this threat, emphasizing that their oversight was a result of institutional bias. The events of January 6 have starkly illustrated the dangers of ignoring white supremacy and far-right militancy within law enforcement ranks.
The call for action is clear: law enforcement agencies at all levels must enhance their efforts to protect the public from far-right violence and eradicate racism and white supremacy from their ranks. Historically, police forces in the U.S. have been used to uphold racist laws, a legacy that continues to manifest in the inequities within the criminal justice system. Failure to act against racist violence and white supremacist activities essentially endorses these discriminatory practices, highlighting the disparate value placed on lives in America.
Addressing these issues in policing is more feasible than it might appear. Congress has already granted law enforcement the authority and resources needed to tackle white supremacist and far-right violence effectively. The U.S. Justice Department has successfully charged over 1,200 individuals involved in the Capitol attack, including known white supremacists and militants. Many have been convicted or pleaded guilty. Prosecutors at various levels have also pursued charges against a former president and his associates for attempting to overturn a legitimate election.
The challenge lies in prioritizing the investigation and prosecution of far-right violence as a national security threat. Despite identification by volunteer “sedition hunters,” hundreds of January 6 rioters remain uncharged, and far-right militants continue to act with insufficient law enforcement response. The Justice Department and FBI have yet to fulfill congressional requests for comprehensive national data on violent acts by white supremacists and far-right militants. Recognizing the severity of this violence is crucial, as is collecting data to substantiate it. This will enable targeted enforcement efforts and hold responsible agencies accountable.
Law enforcement must adopt more strategic and focused approaches to effectively combat white supremacist violence. Strategies should involve using data to understand the extent of the violence and the militants’ objectives of normalizing it as a political tool. Efforts should focus on evidence of violent criminal activity rather than political beliefs, ensuring resources are directed at genuine threats rather than disfavored groups.
Policing white supremacy effectively also involves redefining the role of police. Rather than expanding law enforcement powers, efforts should focus on empowering communities affected by white supremacist violence. This includes restorative approaches to hate crimes, which can help rebuild social cohesion and counteract the divisive aims of white supremacist groups.
Order Policing White Supremacy here >>
Copyright © 2025 by Mike German and Beth Zasloff. Reprinted here with permission.
