As a long-serving FBI agent, Mike German worked undercover in white supremacist and militia groups, developing a deep understanding of their mindsets and strategies. In Policing White Supremacy, German issues a wake-up call about law enforcement’s dangerously lax approach to far-right violence.

Because the FBI refuses to prioritize investigations of violence by white supremacists, it can continue to use its domestic terrorism powers to target much less violent groups, such as Black Lives Matter and environmental activists, suppressing their advocacy. Meanwhile, far-right militants have committed over one hundred deadly acts just since the 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, and attempted to obstruct transfer of power to a duly elected U.S. president.

Noting that the FBI does not even compile accurate national data on white supremacist violence, German exposes the continuing tolerance of overt racism in law enforcement and police membership in white supremacist organizations. The threat these officers pose became clear when at least twenty-eight current and former law enforcement officials were alleged to have participated in the January 6 breach of the Capitol.

A book with profound relevance as we head into what is sure to be a contentious presidential election, Policing White Supremacy urges us to recognize and address a serious threat to democracy.

A former FBI agent's urgent call for law enforcement to prioritize far-right violence and end tolerance for police racism

In Policing White Supremacy, former FBI agent Mike German, who worked undercover in white supremacist and militia groups, issues a wake-up call about law enforcement's dangerously lax approach to far-right violence.

Despite over a hundred deadly acts by far-right militants since the 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, and the far right's attempts to obstruct transfer of power to a duly elected president on January 6, the FBI continues to deprioritize investigations into white supremacist violence, instead targeting marginalized groups such as environmentalists and Black Lives Matter. In 2005, for example, the FBI labeled eco-terrorists as the top domestic threat, despite not a single fatal attack in the United States.

Noting that the FBI does not even compile accurate national data on white supremacist violence, German also exposes the continuing tolerance of overt racism in law enforcement, and police membership in white supremacist organizations. The threat these officers pose became clear when at least twenty-eight current and former law enforcement officials were alleged to have participated in the 2021 Capitol breach.

With chapters on "The Rise of the Proud Boys," "A New Approach to Policing Hate Crimes," and "Policing the Police," Policing White Supremacy shows how the lack of transparency and accountability in federal, state, and local law enforcement has eroded public trust and undermined democracy. "Law Enforcement's Role in Resisting White Supremacy" points the way forward to a future where far-right violence is recognized and addressed as the true threat it presents to our country.