Details about Utah-based Robert Kinch, who backed ‘race war’, suggest rightwing militia has retained links with police

Summary

Robert “Bobby” Kinch, a former Las Vegas homicide detective, is revealed as the leader of the Utah-based Oath Keepers USA, a spinoff of the militia linked to the January 6 Capitol attack.

Kinch, who retired from the force in 2016, has a controversial history, including Facebook posts advocating a “race war” and a photo of him pointing a gun at a plate with Barack Obama’s image.

Critics highlight the threat of extremists in law enforcement.

The Oath Keepers remain active, adding police officers to their ranks amid Trump’s potential return to power.

  • quicklime@lemm.ee
    10·
    3 days ago

    We / our society need many more like that guy, but I wouldn’t wish that level of stress on anyone. I’ll bet he gave two years off his eventual lifespan for every year undercover. On the other hand, lifespan would be worth so little in a white-supremacist christofascism.

    • frezik
      3·
      3 days ago

      Even if more people were willing, most don’t have the skills. That guy very carefully practiced lying in order to infiltrate the group. He decided to use those skills for good rather than, say, defrauding a rich old widow out of her money.

      • quicklime@lemm.ee
        2·
        3 days ago

        Yes – surely the eligible pool is tiny at best. And the pull to use skills of deception for profit instead is widespread.