What are the most prominent right-wing extremist groups in the US and their ideologies?

Checked on September 26, 2025
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1. Summary of the results

The analyses reveal a complex landscape of right-wing extremist groups and ideologies in the United States, though the provided sources focus more heavily on statistical trends than specific group identification. Right-wing extremist violence has historically dominated domestic terrorism, with sources indicating that right-wing attacks account for approximately 75% to 80% of domestic terrorism deaths since 2001 [1]. The Anti-Defamation League documented 67 domestic terror incidents by right-wing extremists from 2017-2022, with white supremacists being responsible for the most incidents and deaths [2].

The ideological framework appears to center around white supremacist beliefs and anti-government sentiment. Sources identify the presence of well-organized networks of extremist right-wing groups connected to the Christian Identity Movement and note the emergence of extremist paramilitary groups with shared hostility to the US government [3]. These groups represent a structured threat with established organizational networks rather than isolated incidents.

However, 2025 has marked a significant shift in domestic terrorism patterns. For the first time in over three decades, left-wing attacks have outnumbered those from the far right [4]. The Center for Strategic and International Studies found that right-wing terror incidents dropped dramatically in 2025, with only one incident reported, while left-wing attacks rose to five incidents [5]. This represents a notable departure from historical trends, though the overall numbers remain relatively low.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question seeks information about prominent right-wing extremist groups and their ideologies, but the analyses provided focus primarily on statistical comparisons between right-wing and left-wing violence rather than detailed organizational profiles. This creates a significant gap in addressing the specific groups and their belief systems that the question targets.

The sources emphasize that left-wing attacks are typically less lethal than right-wing ones and are often motivated by anti-government or partisan extremism [4]. This distinction is crucial because it suggests different operational methodologies and target selection between ideological extremes. The rise in left-wing violence in 2025 may be driven by opposition to the Trump administration and its policies [5], indicating that political context significantly influences extremist activity patterns.

An important alternative viewpoint emerges regarding the relative threat assessment. While right-wing extremism has historically been more deadly, the recent surge in left-wing incidents suggests that domestic terrorism threats are not static and can shift based on political circumstances. The sources indicate that most domestic terrorists are on the right [1], but this historical pattern may be evolving.

The analyses also reveal that extremist violence operates within broader organizational networks rather than as isolated incidents [3]. This suggests that understanding individual groups requires examining their connections to larger ideological movements and support structures.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question itself does not contain explicit misinformation, as it seeks factual information about extremist groups and ideologies. However, the framing could potentially lead to incomplete understanding by focusing solely on right-wing extremism while ignoring the recent surge in left-wing violence documented in 2025.

The timing of the question is significant given that 2025 represents a historical anomaly in domestic terrorism patterns [4]. Someone asking about right-wing extremist groups without acknowledging this recent shift might be operating on outdated assumptions about the current threat landscape.

Additionally, the sources suggest potential political motivations behind recent left-wing violence, specifically opposition to the Trump administration [5]. This indicates that extremist violence patterns are heavily influenced by political cycles and current events, making any assessment time-sensitive and context-dependent.

The analyses consistently emphasize that right-wing attacks account for the vast majority of fatalities from domestic terrorism historically [1], but the recent statistical shift suggests that focusing exclusively on right-wing groups might miss emerging threats from other ideological directions. A comprehensive threat assessment would need to acknowledge both historical patterns and current developments to avoid bias toward either minimizing or overemphasizing particular extremist movements.

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