From Extremism to Advocacy: A Journey Out of the Oath Keepers with Jason Van Tatenhove and Larry Mantle
November 13, 2024 | Jason Van Tatenhove | The Perils of Extremism: How I Left the Oath Keepers and Why We Should Be Concerned About a Future Civil War – Summary Prepared by JUDJ Team
In a recent America at a Crossroads discussion, author and former Oath Keepers media director Jason Van Tatenhove shared his extraordinary journey from embedding with an anti-government militia group to becoming an advocate against extremism. Through his firsthand experiences, Van Tatenhove illuminated how vulnerable individuals are drawn into extremist ideologies, the dangers of such groups, and the importance of storytelling in combating hate. This interview offers a unique perspective on personal transformation and serves as a call to action for those committed to protecting democracy.
The Allure of Extremism
Van Tatenhove’s path into the world of far-right extremism began with a seemingly harmless pursuit: participatory journalism. A punk rock enthusiast and tattoo shop owner, he decided to document the standoff at Nevada’s Bundy Ranch in 2014, where armed supporters of cattle rancher Cliven Bundy faced off with federal officials over land use rights. Viewing the event as a potentially historic moment, Van Tatenhove embedded with the Oath Keepers, a militia group known for its anti-government stance.
What began as a journalistic endeavor quickly became a more personal involvement. Isolated after moving to Montana and facing financial challenges, Van Tatenhove found a sense of purpose and camaraderie among the group’s members. He gradually became more involved, ultimately accepting a paid position as the National Media Director for the Oath Keepers. However, he recalls looking in the mirror one day and realizing he no longer recognized himself—his punk rock Mohawk and DIY ethos replaced by camo gear and crew cuts.
Disillusionment and Breaking Points
Despite initially feeling a sense of belonging, cracks in Van Tatenhove’s allegiance began to show during his time with the Oath Keepers. He witnessed firsthand how the group’s actions often diverged from their stated values, with financial motivations and media optics often taking precedence over ideology. One pivotal moment came during the 2016 Malheur Wildlife Refuge standoff in Oregon, where Van Tatenhove attended the funeral of Lavoy Finicum, a key figure killed during the standoff. Seeing Finicum’s grieving daughters, Van Tatenhove began to question the cost of the cause he was part of.
The final straw came when he overheard a core member of the Oath Keepers denying the Holocaust in a local Montana supermarket. For Van Tatenhove, whose blended family included Jewish relatives, this was a moral line he could not ignore. That evening, he called a family meeting and resigned from the group, despite the financial security and community it had provided.
A New Mission: Advocating Against Hate
Since leaving the Oath Keepers, Van Tatenhove has dedicated himself to exposing extremism and advocating for democracy. He testified before the Congressional Select Committee investigating the January 6th Capitol attack, providing insight into how groups like the Oath Keepers operate and radicalize members. He also returned to journalism, using his platform to combat misinformation and call for a return to truth in storytelling.
Van Tatenhove emphasizes the importance of small, everyday actions in fighting extremism. He believes storytelling is a powerful tool for change, capable of reclaiming narratives that have been hijacked by hate and disinformation. His message is clear: no one is coming to save us. It is up to individuals—journalists, creatives, and citizens—to push back against extremism and build a society rooted in empathy and human rights.
A Call to Action
Jason Van Tatenhove’s story is a stark reminder of how easily individuals can be drawn into extremist movements, but it also highlights the power of self-awareness and moral courage in breaking free. His journey from the Oath Keepers to advocacy underscores the need for vigilance, community, and truth-telling in the face of rising extremism. As Van Tatenhove said, “Now more than ever, we need our writers, creatives, and storytellers to shape the world we want our children to inherit.”
Let his story inspire us to take action—however small—to resist hate and uphold the values of democracy.
About America at a Crossroads
Since April 2020, America at a Crossroads has produced weekly virtual programs on topics related to the preservation of our democracy, voting rights, freedom of the press, and a wide array of civil rights, including abortion rights, free speech, and free press. America at a Crossroads is a project of Jews United for Democracy & Justice.