A violent white supremacist network once dismantled by federal authorities is making a comeback in the United States. Known as "The Base", the organization is now openly preparing for another paramilitary gathering, undeterred by the threat of FBI intervention.

Founded in 2018 by Rinaldo Nazzaro, an American ex-Defense Department contractor now based in St. Petersburg, Russia, The Base had previously attracted close attention from law enforcement. Its network in the US was largely unraveled in a federal crackdown, resulting in numerous arrests. But following the 2024 presidential election and the return of Donald Trump to the White House, the group appears to have found new life.

Current administration more permissive toward far-right extremism?

Analysts believe The Base sees the current administration as more permissive toward far-right extremism. Under new FBI leadership by Trump loyalist Kash Patel, investigations into white supremacist groups have reportedly slowed, allowing The Base to begin rebuilding its US operations.

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Now, the group has extended its reach into Ukraine, where it is said to be engaging in sabotage missions against government targets. It is also expanding across Europe, while showing signs of renewed activity in the US, including public calls for donations to support upcoming training.

"The Base in [the] USA is preparing for an upcoming national training event," read one recent message posted by the group, appealing for cryptocurrency donations. "This one might be our most attended training event in [the] USA in a while. We could really use some financial support to help our members with travel expenses."

The message continued, "When you donate money to the Base, you're investing in a White Defense Force that's aiming to protect white people from political persecution and physical destruction."

A new image recently circulated by the group shows armed men in what it claims is the US Midwest. It follows other messages showcasing the group's activities, including one released on the day of Trump's second inauguration. That photo depicted four armed members standing in Appalachia, the largest number shown together on US soil in over a year.

Bold revival

Speaking to The Guardian, Joshua Fisher-Birch, a longtime researcher of far-right extremism, said the announcement signals that The Base is growing bolder.

"The upcoming national training event indicates that the group is seeking to grow and is willing to take the risk of advertising it publicly in advance," he said. "The Base appears to be actively seeking to grow in the US."

Fisher-Birch noted that even a small gathering could carry significant implications.

"An event entails planning, coordination, travel and face-to-face meetings between different regional groups, indicating that they operate in an environment where they view the potential amount of risk as acceptable," he added.

"The group has previously stated multiple times that being a member or training with them is a risky endeavor; however, planning a meetup, which they will inevitably use for propaganda purposes, is a different approach than even a year ago, when the group advertised regional activities."

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FBI says its probes target criminal conduct, not affiliations

Asked about the group's activities, the FBI responded that its investigations target criminal conduct, not affiliations alone.

"Our focus is not on membership in particular groups but on criminal activity," an agency spokesperson told The Guardian. "Membership in groups is not illegal in and of itself and is protected by the first amendment."

Despite that position, authorities in Michigan and Georgia have prosecuted Base members on charges stemming from their involvement with the group.

While national security experts have identified white supremacist violence as the most serious domestic threat facing the US, the Trump administration has consistently played down its significance. Patel has reportedly scaled back agency resources devoted to monitoring right-wing extremism, and one of Trump's earliest actions in his second term was to issue blanket pardons for individuals convicted in the January 6 Capitol riot.

Global escalation

The group's ambitions are now going beyond the US. Ukraine has become a new theater of operations, where Base members are calling for attacks on officials and infrastructure in the name of creating a white ethnostate. Online videos shared by the group show incidents, such as a government vehicle set ablaze and damage to electrical equipment.

In mid-May, Nazzaro appeared in a video, where he discussed the importance of real-world demonstrations.

"It's propaganda through actions, not just words," he said.

While the location of the planned US training event has not been confirmed, it's believed that Nazzaro owns land in the Pacific Northwest that he once intended as a central base for the organization.

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