Border militia during the first Trump administration flourished, encouraged by rising anti-immigrant and nativist rhetoric. The Oath Keepers, which was one of the largest militias until its founder and dozens of its members were arrested for their roles in the January 6 Capitol riot, had long engaged in border activities. (This was a point of friction between some chapters, as some members felt that border patrol undermined the authority of the Border Patrol and therefore conflicted with their respect for law enforcement.) The Proud Boys reportedly has deployed to the border. Anecdotally, smaller cells have also been reported to go out and search for people who have made unauthorized border crossings.

Over the years, many of these groups have operated with carte blanche from local authorities. Sheriff Mark Lamb of Pinal County, Arizona, told the Los Angeles Times that he believes civilian operations along the border are constitutionally protected activity, but he acknowledged that having a bunch of armed guys running around in camouflage can sometimes create headaches for actual law enforcement, because “we don’t know who the good guys and the bad guys are often .” (Lamb is a constitutional sheriffmeaning he believes that sheriffs have supreme authority and are accountable only to God, not the federal government).

Once Trump takes office, some paramilitary types hope they’ll get tacit authority from the government to engage in border vigilance. A Telegram group catering to self-identifying members of various militias has been abuzz with chatter about Trump’s border plans. “I will be extremely happy if they would put deputies of civilians in the war against the invasion from the borders,” wrote one member in the chat. “Yes sir, I have inquired about that (with) someone close to this administrator,” someone replied. “Something has to be done because (the problem) is huge and the need for manpower is going to be huge.” When someone suggested that militia members desist from operations, another member accused them of being “fed” or “victims of repulsive psyops”.

“Anyone caught discouraging patriots from constitutionally uniting on a large scale is suspect,” they wrote. “The basic premise of the military is to constitutionally UNITE.” Another fantasized about how “patriots ex (sic) trained” could deal with cartels at the border during Trump’s mass deportations.

These fantasies have also spread across social media. “The unconstitutional, illegal, deliberate border invasion is the true insurrection, therefore the insurrection act should be used and the militia/military should be called out to immediately put it down,” one person wrote on Truth Social last week. “Godspeed MAGA Militia!!”

And the proud boys of South Texas reposted a meme showing a group of soldiers riding in the back of a truck, with the caption, “The boys and me when we get named ICE in Trump’s second term.”

For some, the idea of ​​becoming a surrogate is more than a meme. “We will have word at the end of January about the plans,” says Foley. “We’ve told them, we’re all in if you want us, if you need help with information or recon. Just let us know.”