While the Trump administration conducts a campaign of mass deportations against undocumented immigrants linked to "terrorist" entities, it appears that American neo-Nazis continue to forge connections across borders, particularly with far-right groups in Scandinavia. A member of a California-based fight club associated with the "Active Club" movement was reportedly in Borås, Sweden, for a mixed martial arts tournament, tying into a network that has been designated by the United States as linked to terrorism.
In September 2024, an American affiliated with the Active Club movement attended the Holmgang 2024 tournament, organized by Swedish skinhead groups Tvåsaxe and GYM XIV. The Active Club is known for its members’ overlap with skinhead gangs and other far-right movements. Social media posts confirmed the participation, signaling the transnational nature of these extremist groups.
The identity of the American who attended remains unknown, but the implications are worrisome. The groups involved are connected to the Nordic Resistance Movement (NRM), which was designated a Specially Designated Global Terrorist Group by the U.S. State Department in 2024. Counterterrorism laws prohibit Americans from engaging with individuals or entities associated with legally recognized terrorist groups, leading to potential criminal implications for participation or support of associated activities.
Experts warn that even minor forms of support—such as attending events—could result in severe legal ramifications, including lengthy prison sentences. Historical context shows that the U.S. Justice Department has charged individuals for material support to terrorism in various cases, highlighting the seriousness of the infraction.
Though the organizations involved in the Swedish tournament aim to distance themselves by adopting new names and structures, it is suggested that law enforcement sees through these attempts to evade scrutiny. Rundo, the founder of Media 2 Rise—an organization tied to the Active Club—has previously expressed admiration for NRM, indicating ongoing ideological alliances that could facilitate further anti-democratic extremism.
Conversely, Active Clubs in Europe have been growing rapidly, utilizing combat sports as a recruitment tool. This evolution has raised concerns among security analysts, as they perceive these clubs as attracting younger members while engaging in violent activities and hate crimes. The tournament in Sweden reflected the broader trend of networking among far-right extremists, which poses significant challenges for law enforcement.
The ramifications of the U.S. designation of NRM could create a ripple effect, fostering solidarity among various linked groups. Surveillance of these organizations is high on the priority list for Swedish security services, which are increasingly focused on the recruitment of youth into far-right movements.
Overall, the intertwining of American and European extreme right networks suggests an alarming trend that warrants closer examination and robust countermeasures, particularly in the wake of rising far-right violence and terrorism globally.
