Thomas Rousseau, the founder of the white supremacist group Patriot Front, has indeed expressed the view that only white Americans of European descent can be considered “true” Americans. This racist ideology is a core tenet of the Patriot Front’s beliefs and manifesto.
Rousseau has explicitly stated that his organization doesn’t use the term “white Americans” in its materials “because there are no other kind of Americans than those who are white and from Europe.” This statement clearly articulates his belief that only white people of European descent can be considered Americans.
Patriot Front’s Ideology
The group’s manifesto, authored by Rousseau, contains several passages that reinforce this racist viewpoint:
“An African may have lived, worked, and even been classed as a citizen in America for centuries, yet he is not American.”.
“Membership within the American nation is inherited through blood, not ink”
“Nationhood cannot be bestowed upon those who are not of the founding stock of our people”
Not surprisingly, Patriot Front calls for “American Fascism” and a “hard reset” of the nation to return to what they perceive as traditional American values. They reject democracy, stating in their manifesto that “democracy has failed in this once great nation.” The group also exhibits strong antisemitic views, often praising historical neo-Nazi fascist leaders and contemporary Nazi groups.
Implications and Context
Rousseau envisions America as a white ethnostate, excluding all non-white individuals from the concept of American identity. He attempts to redefine American identity by ignoring the multicultural reality of the United States and the contributions of non-white Americans throughout history. Moreover, Rousseau advocated for the separation of races and even suggested the possibility of state secession to achieve this goal.
The group calls for a revolution to overthrow what they see as a corrupt government and create their ideal white nationalist society. Patriot Front’s beliefs are considered extreme and are widely condemned as hateful and contrary to the principles of equality and diversity.
Experts and critics have pointed out the dangerous and false nature of Rousseau’s ideology. Pete Simi, a professor at Chapman University, notes that such rhetoric, while claiming non-violence, actually promotes hate and encourages violence. Human rights organizations have identified Patriot Front as a hate group that uses pseudo-patriotic propaganda to mask its racist agenda.
Rousseau’s statements and Patriot Front’s ideology represent a fringe, extremist view that is widely condemned and contradicts the fundamental principles of equality and diversity upon which the United States is built.