Heidi Beirich: History of Right-Wing Extremism in the United States

A View of Right-Wing Extremism in the U.S.

In this step, Heidi discusses the rise of right-wing extremism in the 1990s in the United States. She talks about her previous work with the Southern Poverty Law Center in understanding the upward trajectory of far-right militia groups and designated hate groups in the U.S. after the 1996 Oklahoma City bombing. She also describes the shift in the U.S. focus from 1990s-era domestic terrorism to a post September 11th brand of international terrorism.

What surprised you or stood out from Heidi’s segment? Were you aware of the shift from a domestic terrorism focus in the United States to Islamic extremism after September 11, 2001, as Heidi describes in her segment? What memories do you have about this era in the United States?