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Members of the "Boogaloo Bois" at a demonstration in Richmond, Virginia on January 18
Photo: SAMUEL CORUM / EPA-EFE / Shutterstock
Joe Biden probably did not have men like Allen Lardieri in mind when he delivered his inauguration speech on Wednesday, when he spoke of reconciliation and unity, when he promised a return to an America where one could disagree, without considering yourself an enemy.
Lardieri is a well-trained man in his mid-forties.
Once in the army, now he's a miner in West Virginia.
He was following the storm on the Capitol two weeks ago, if only because many of his former comrades from the Oath Keepers were there.
The right-wing militia of former soldiers and police officers, some of whom are still active, have decided to defend the constitution by force against "external and internal enemies" if necessary, as their oath of office provides.
Most support former President Donald Trump.
"Violence is inevitable," says Lardieri.
He turned his back on the Oath Keepers some time ago, but he still maintains contact with right-wing militias who, like him, hold the right to carry a weapon sacred.
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