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“Our focus is not on membership in particular groups but on individuals who commit violence and criminal activity that constitutes a federal crime or poses a threat to national security,” a statement distributed by spokeswoman Kelsey Pietranton in November said. “When it comes to domestic terrorism, our investigations focus solely on criminal activity of individuals – regardless of group membership – which appears to be intended to intimidate or coerce the civilian population or influence the policy of the government by intimidation or coercion. The FBI does not and will not police ideology.”

The Proud Boys are one of many predominantly male, right-wing groups to come to the fore since U.S. President Donald Trump’s election. They describe themselves as a “Western chauvinist” fraternal group that believes in ending welfare, closing the borders and adhering to traditional gender roles.

But critics point to other statements and behaviour to argue that these aims are a subterfuge for racist and hateful beliefs.

“Their disavowals of bigotry are belied by their actions: rank-and-file Proud Boys and leaders regularly spout white nationalist memes and maintain affiliations with known extremists,” the Southern Poverty Law Center, which considers the Proud Boys a hate group, wrote in a report. “They are known for anti-Muslim and misogynistic rhetoric.”

The group captured national media attention for its involvement in a fight that broke out on the streets of New York after it was invited to a Republican club in town. Police charged nine people who were affiliated with the group after the incident.