Summary
Highlights
The documentary opens with the tragic 2018 Pittsburgh synagogue shooting, where Robert Bowers killed 11 Jewish worshippers. Reporter A.C. Thompson investigates the roots of this hate, linking it to the resurgent white supremacist movement, which gained national attention after the 2017 Charlottesville rally.
Thompson identifies Atomwaffen Division as a highly extreme neo-Nazi organization. A former member, 'John,' reveals that the group's ideology is heavily influenced by James Mason's 1980s newsletter 'Siege,' which advocates for anarchy and chaos to dismantle the 'capitalist Jew system' and reveres figures like Charles Manson and Adolf Hitler.
The investigation then shifts to Tampa, Florida, where Atomwaffen was founded. The arrest of member Devon Arthurs for killing his roommates exposed the group's activities, including bomb-making and a fascination with Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh. Police found explosives and firearms in their apartment, suggesting plans for mass casualties.
Despite arrests, Atomwaffen's violence continued with further killings linked to its members. The documentary reveals the group's efforts to recruit military personnel and conduct 'hate camps' for firearms and guerrilla tactics training. Online chat logs confirm their intent to leverage military experience for their extremist goals.
Professor Kathleen Belew explains the historical link between white power movements and military veterans, highlighting how postwar periods often see a surge in such activities. Daryl Johnson, a former Homeland Security analyst, recounts how his report on white supremacist threats was suppressed, leading to a lack of government preparedness for addressing domestic extremism.
Thompson confronts Atomwaffen members and interviews James Mason, who expresses sympathy for terrorists like James Fields and Timothy McVeigh, and connects Donald Trump's 'Make America Great Again' slogan to white supremacist aspirations. The film concludes by emphasizing the ongoing threat of hate crimes and the need for vigilance, especially after the Pittsburgh tragedy.