Trump ICE Militarization 2026: Why the Proud Boys are Staying Home

They used to rule the streets. Now, they're just watching from their screens. The Proud Boys, the far-right group that served as Donald Trump's unofficial infantry during his first term, are facing a crisis of purpose. As the administration accelerates its Trump ICE militarization 2026 strategy, these self-proclaimed 'Western chauvinists' find themselves redundant.

The Shift in Trump ICE Militarization 2026

The return of Trump a year ago and the release of January 6 prisoners initially signaled a comeback for the group. However, a WIRED investigation reveals that local chapters are no longer mobilizing to counter-protest. When a masked federal agent shot Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis last week, the streets remained empty of Proud Boys.

Experts suggest this is because the DHS has effectively outsourced the group's violence to official channels. "When you've got law enforcement so willing to abuse their powers, why get in trouble?" says Wendy Via, president of the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism. The administration's embrace of hard-line rhetoric has left these groups with no role to play.

Digital Dogwhistles and State Propaganda

While they aren't on the ground, the Proud Boys are more active than ever online. They've shifted to providing 'personal security' for right-wing influencers and sharing AI-generated content. A recent DHS post featuring the lyric "By God We'll Have Our Home Again"—a song popular in white nationalist circles—was widely interpreted as a direct signal to the movement.