A new report by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has revealed that hundreds of elected officials, law enforcement officers, first responders, and military members are a part of the far-right Oath Keepers group.
Though the group describes itself as “a group of proud patriots dedicated to upholding the constitution” they are widely known as an anti-government group. It’s also said that the Oath Keepers played a sizable role in the Jan. 6 attack on the US Capitol.
The report’s findings were based on the data from more than 38,000 people who signed up to receive information from the organization. Over 350 individuals were identified as currently serving in law enforcement and the list includes nearly 400 current law enforcement officers, 81 people currently holding or running for office, and at least 10 police chiefs and 11 sheriffs.
Several people on the list have responded. Colorado’s Otero country sheriff, Shawn Mobley, says he distanced himself from the group years ago because their views were too extreme. Benjamin Boeke, the police chief in Oskaloosa, Iowa, believes that a friend may have signed him up but he was never an active member.
The ADL noted that the list includes a wide range of people. Some may be die-hard members of the group, while others may have signed up long ago when the group was a watered-down version of what it is today. Still, the over 38,000 members receiving Oath Keeper information shows how widespread the group and its ideology have become.
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