News Channel 5 Investigates: The Rise of the Neo-Nazis Next Door
Exclusive Investigation Uncovers the Expansion of Patriot Front in Tennessee
Hate Grows in Tennessee’s Backyard
An exclusive investigation by News Channel 5 has uncovered the alarming expansion of the neo-Nazi group Patriot Front in Tennessee. This extremist organization, already notorious for its propaganda campaigns and flash mob demonstrations, is now escalating its operations—training for violent confrontations and establishing a sprawling compound within the state.
Investigative reporter Phil Williams has spent over three months gathering evidence, including never-before-seen videos revealing the group’s clandestine activities. Our findings expose Patriot Front’s deep-seated racist ideology, tactical training, and growing foothold in Tennessee communities.
Patriot Front: Behind the Mask of Patriotism
Patriot Front is known for its carefully curated public image. Members wear white gaiters to hide their identities, participate in highly orchestrated marches, and attempt to disguise their true intentions under the guise of patriotism.
However, our investigation peels back this facade. Leaked videos and expert analysis reveal that behind closed doors, these individuals openly glorify Adolf Hitler, deny the Holocaust, and seek to establish a white ethnostate in America.
“These are hardened white supremacists who want to see a white-only nation created in the United States,” said Jeff Tisher, a researcher at the Southern Poverty Law Center.
Despite their attempts to blend into mainstream conservative movements, the group’s history and internal rhetoric confirm their extremist agenda.
A Compound for Hate: Tennessee’s Secret Training Grounds
One of the most disturbing discoveries of our investigation is a 122-acre Patriot Front compound under construction in Tellico Plains, Tennessee—nestled between Chattanooga and Knoxville.
Aerial footage captured by News Channel 5 shows an active development site where members of the group are gathering and strategizing. According to our sources, this compound serves as a hub for:
- Paramilitary training: Members engage in combat drills, including riot shield formations and hand-to-hand fighting techniques.
- National white supremacist networking: Other hate groups from across the country are invited to the compound for recruitment and collaboration.
- Ideological indoctrination: New members undergo intensive brainwashing sessions to reinforce extremist beliefs.
Leaked videos show Patriot Front leaders teaching recruits how to use riot shields offensively—techniques typically employed in violent confrontations.
“Patriot Front will claim they are nonviolent, but they are training in mixed martial arts to escalate conflicts and physically harm people,” explained one expert.
This training has already played out on the streets of America, leading to multiple violent incidents.
Flash Mob Tactics: Patriot Front’s Strategy for Chaos
Patriot Front members have developed a calculated system of rapid, high-impact appearances to spread their propaganda while avoiding law enforcement intervention.
Their signature strategy includes:
- Vandalizing public spaces with racist graffiti and hate-filled posters, often under the cover of darkness.
- Arriving in rental trucks, suddenly emerging for a choreographed march before quickly dispersing.
- Engaging in violent street confrontations, where they provoke responses from counter-protesters, then claim victimhood.
This method of operation was evident during last summer’s Patriot Front demonstration in Nashville, where leader Thomas Rousseau orchestrated a tightly controlled march.
“These guys are smart,” said Ryan Hunter, a prosecutor who has dealt with Patriot Front cases. “They know exactly how to manipulate public perception.”
Connections to Domestic Terrorism: The Coeur d’Alene Plot
Perhaps the most damning evidence against Patriot Front comes from their failed attempt to incite violence at a 2022 Pride event in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
- 31 Patriot Front members were arrested while en route to the event.
- Police discovered riot shields, tactical radios, first-aid kits, and even a smoke grenade—clear indications that the group was preparing for a violent confrontation.
- Their operational plan revealed intentions to push through any barriers, including people, to disrupt the event.
“You don’t come to a boxing match in full combat gear unless you intend to fight,” said Hunter, the prosecutor in the case.
Among those arrested were Robert Benjamin Whitted of Texas and Garrett Joseph Garland of Illinois, both of whom resurfaced at an extremist gathering in Tennessee later that year.
Tennessee’s Role in the National White Supremacist Network
Our investigation first gained traction when anti-fascist activists protested the annual American Renaissance Conference at Montgomery Bell State Park, a well-known white supremacist gathering held 40 miles west of Nashville.
Jared Taylor, the conference’s founder, denied any connections to neo-Nazis, yet multiple known Patriot Front members were identified at the event. Facial recognition technology confirmed that several individuals, including Thomas Rousseau, were present.
“When you dig into their private communications, you see them worshipping Hitler, denying the Holocaust, and using racial slurs among themselves,” said Tisher.
This blending of ideological extremism with logistical infrastructure—such as the Tellico Plains compound—positions Tennessee as a key strategic location for the modern white supremacist movement.
How Patriot Front Exploits Conservative Narratives
Patriot Front employs strategic messaging to recruit new members, often by piggybacking on mainstream conservative rhetoric.
- They position themselves as “true patriots” defending American values.
- They weaponize fears about demographic changes, claiming that America is under threat from immigration.
- They attempt to sanitize their image through disciplined marches and flag-waving demonstrations.
This calculated approach allows them to appeal to individuals who may not initially identify as extremists but are vulnerable to radicalization.
“We are Americans—we are not white Americans, because there are no other kinds of Americans than those who are white and from Europe,” said Rousseau in one leaked video, exposing the group’s underlying racist ideology.
What Can Be Done? How Authorities and Citizens Can Fight Back
As Patriot Front continues expanding in Tennessee, both law enforcement and the general public play a crucial role in countering their influence.
1. Treat Hate Crimes Seriously
Prosecutors and police should go beyond treating Patriot Front’s actions as simple vandalism. Instead, they should pursue conspiracy charges under civil rights laws to hold members accountable.
2. Community Vigilance
Residents should report any sightings of Patriot Front graffiti, recruitment efforts, or gatherings. If you witness them defacing property, record license plate numbers and notify authorities.
3. Exposing Their Actions
Public awareness is one of the most effective tools against hate groups. By exposing their tactics and publicly identifying members, communities can disrupt recruitment efforts.
4. Strengthen Hate Crime Legislation
State lawmakers should consider stronger hate crime laws that address organized racist violence and intimidation.
The Battle for Tennessee’s Future
The presence of Patriot Front in Tennessee is a stark warning: white supremacist extremism is not just a distant problem—it is growing in our own communities.
Despite their efforts to disguise themselves as patriots, their racist, violent ideology is clear. They are actively training for battle, building networks, and seeking to spread hate across the state.
It is up to all of us—law enforcement, community leaders, and everyday citizens—to recognize the threat and take action.
If You See Something, Say Something
If you witness any suspicious activity related to Patriot Front or other hate groups, report it immediately to your local police or the Southern Poverty Law Center’s hate group tracking system.
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