State-Sponsored Terror Threatens Democracy | Rick Wilson's The Enemies List

Democracy is under siege, and state-sanctioned vigilantes are leading the charge. In this episode Rick speaks with Jon Michaels and David Noll, authors of the upcoming book Vigilante Nation: How State-Sponsored Terror Threatens Our Democracy. They discuss the alarming rise of state-backed vigilante activities, particularly through laws like Texas SB8, and how these efforts are aimed at achieving authoritarian political control. The conversation explores the MAGA movement's tactics, the threats to democratic institutions, and the potential dangers surrounding future U.S. elections. It's a chilling analysis of how private actors, with state approval, are shaping America’s political landscape.

Jon and David's book, Vigilante Nation: How State-Sponsored Terror Threatens Our Democracy, available for pre-order now.

Timestamps:

(00:01:45) Vigilante Nation

(00:14:56) If we keep on pushing

(00:19:07) The spectrum of violent organizations

About The Enemies List:

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[sward_]

As always, I pray the adults in all the rooms are listening to you, General Wilson ✨🙏💫 Not even embellishing your elegance and eloquence, but the elephant is in the room 🌀🐘🌀

[sumiland]

29:19 if maga and militias are willing to die to overturn our votes, are we willing to protect our votes with our lives?

[digitalcurry]

This is why I've left the United States. I'm currently in South America. I hope our country survives the election. But I will no longer live amongst tens of millions of domestic terrorists.

[crystalcleary]

This conversation is just too horrific for me to partake in. I'm going to do my volunteering, vote blue, and hope y'all keep it together through the courts so that Kamala's resounding win will stick. Good luck. I hope it all works out. If not, I'm off to Central or South America. Have all the fun with Project 2025, peace out.

[flashcar]

Orwell was just 50 years premature. His novel should have been titled "2034". I can hear Big Brother's footsteps in the hall.

[lorriewatson]

I really do want to see the DOJ do more

[suzannepoole]

I was so freaked out by this election cycle, I was debating selling my house and getting as liquid as possible.
I'm much more confident and hopeful with where we are with the Harris/Walz campaign.
I do live in a red zone, so it's hard to take the temperature. I do see and feel less Trump support than 2020. Still lots of morons and militia types. However, even some of them aren't quite as sure which way the wind is blowing.

[digitalcurry]

How about mandatory life in prison for domestic terrorists?

[heatherwimberly]

@TheRickWilson y’all are my main man. But I can’t keep up with all the material that you keep churning out. I just can’t read all the books, watch all the videos, and I am absolutely going to be dead in my sleep or be driven completely insane from lack of sleep.

[marshamorgan]

Is there any hope for us? Vote blue through and through!

[vinnaealcendor]

The DOJ and Homeland Security need to start now working with State Law and Local Law Enforcement. I don't have the resources to leave this country. The only thing I have is my vote and we must have very wide margin.

[generalputnam]

Can't get into the live chat. But just want to add that Malcolm Nance wrote a trilogy about the domestic & foreign ties of the RW to Jan6 + ongoing.

[susha]

He's going to be a lot more desperate and dangerous this time around, because he knows that he has nothing left to lose since he's going to be going to prison anyway. He will never concede that he has lost, and don't put your hopes on Merrick Garland who has shown himself to be far too weak and ineffectual for the demands of of this unprecedented time and need in our political history

[cristosl]

I appreciate these honest clear assessments, I know too many people don’t but I have reached the point where I have nothing but contempt for comforting self delusions.

[marybrown]

Damn, so many great books to read lately.

[Jilla]

How do you feel about the 19 attorney’s general who petitioned the Biden administration to track women if they travel out of States and take possession of their medical record where abortion is legal. I heard one politician in NC who said “ the women weren’t eligible for these abortions under their state laws” ! (Like this state owns my Body This is crazy

[claudiaclagett]

I’m worried about the after the after election violence

[ricklindeman]

Is a shame one man is trying to destroy our way of life

[jamesgray]

We're in unchartered territory here.

[lindamacdonald]

We all need to know more about these groups, hoe they work, and who lead them. I'd suggest getting Julie Farnam to lay out these groups and ways citizens committed to democracy can be active knowing about these grouos.