The Oath Keepers Data Leak: Unmasking Extremism in Public Life

Contributing sentiments towards policy:

60% : According to research by COE, the Oath Keepers' efforts to recruit current or former members of law enforcement and military members has had some success.
56% : In addition to those actively serving in law enforcement, COE identified an estimated 1,100 individuals who previously served in law enforcement.
54% : Law enforcement and military personnel also receive specialized training in a variety of areas that enable them to effectively deploy force.
54% : Law Enforcement
52% : This number is far higher than any previously identified number of extremists within law enforcement; for comparison, a COE report released in 2021 identified 76 cases - 73 of which were unique - in which extremists were found to be serving in law enforcement.
51% : In written comments provided to the Oath Keepers, some of those with ties to police agencies - including some who self-identified as members of law enforcement - offered to use their access or training to aid the Oath Keepers in a variety of ways.
50% : Members of law enforcement and the military are frequently privy to sensitive or classified information, and it is possible that members affiliated with groups like the Oath Keepers could use this information to advance their anti-government agenda or even disrupt an investigation.
49% : As of August 8, 2022, COE has identified 373 individuals in the Oath Keepers database who we believe are currently serving in law enforcement agencies across the country.
49% : For example, some individuals offered to use their position to introduce fellow members of law enforcement to Oath Keepers ideology to ultimately recruit them: Others advertised their backgrounds and skillsets in the written comments, highlighting the numerous ways in which members of police agencies could be of use to the Oath Keepers: Even if they did not offer a particular skill, some still offered to help the organization in nonspecific ways:
47% : While these individuals no longer have access to police resources, or are now deceased, some may still have connections to current law enforcement, and/or may have received training that could be deployed to advance the Oath Keepers' extremist agenda.
45% : As detailed in previous ADL reports discussing the issue of extremists within law enforcement and the military, the presence of anti-government extremists like the Oath Keepers within these institutions creates several challenges and conflicts of interest that can impede how these entities function.
44% : Other detrimental impacts include the real potential for an erosion of trust between law enforcement and the public - and between officers individually - which ultimately affects the public and members alike.
34% : Law enforcement and the military also face problems unique to each institution.

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