Far-right violence and terrorism – May 2025

Introduction

In May 2025, the global landscape was marked by an alarming presence of terrorism and extremism linked to extreme right-wing ideologies. This analysis underscores the paramount significance of this issue in the contemporary world order.

Terrorism and extremism, irrespective of their ideological roots, have long posed a grave threat to international peace and security. Recent times, however, have witnessed a distinct shift in this threat landscape. The ascent of extreme right-wing terrorism has introduced a new layer of complexity to the global security equation.

This report aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of extreme right-wing extremism in May 2025, offering insights into its evolution and current manifestations. By examining the trends, causative factors, and implications of this phenomenon, our objective is to raise awareness, inform policy-making, and promote international collaboration to counter this growing menace.

GERMANY

Germany Classifies AfD as Right-Wing Extremist, Then Suspends Designation Amid Legal Challenge

Germany’s Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) has officially designated the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party as a “confirmed right-wing extremist” organization (1). This unprecedented move allowed for enhanced surveillance measures, including the use of informants and monitoring of communications. The BfV’s report cited the AfD’s anti-immigrant rhetoric, anti-Muslim sentiment, and efforts to undermine Germany’s democratic principles as justification for the classification. The AfD, which became the second-largest party in the February general election, rejected the designation and planned to challenge it in court

However,  six days later, the extremist classification was suspended pending the outcome of the AfD’s legal challenge. The agency informed an administrative court in Cologne that it would pause the designation while litigation was ongoing, reverting the party’s status to that of a “suspected case,” which still permits surveillance but under stricter judicial oversight. The AfD criticized the initial classification as politically motivated, while the German Foreign Ministry defended it as the result of a thorough, independent investigation aimed at safeguarding the constitution and democracy.

German Teens Arrested in Suspected Far-Right Terror Plot

German authorities have arrested five teenagers,  suspected of being part of a far-right extremist group known as “Last Wave of Defense”. The group allegedly planned violent attacks targeting migrants and left-wing organizations, aiming to destabilize Germany’s democratic system. Prosecutors stated that the suspects plotted arson and explosive attacks on homes for asylum-seekers and buildings associated with leftist groups. Two of the suspects are also accused of attempted murder and aggravated arson, including an incident where a cultural center in Altdöbern was set on fire while occupied, though no injuries were reported.

Holger Münch, head of Germany’s Federal Criminal Police Office, highlighted an increasing acceptance of violence among young people. Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig described the involvement of minors in such extremist activities as “particularly shocking,” emphasizing that right-wing extremist terrorism knows no age (2).

Controversy in German School Over Nazi Slogan Proposal

A German school has come under scrutiny after a student suggested the Nazi slogan “Arbeit macht frei” (“Work sets you free”) as a potential motto during a class project. The phrase, infamously displayed at the entrances of several Nazi concentration camps, including Auschwitz, was proposed during a discussion on school values. The suggestion sparked immediate backlash from both educators and the public, leading to a broader conversation about historical awareness and education in Germany (3).

School officials have since addressed the incident, emphasizing the importance of educating students about the historical context and the atrocities associated with such symbols. The incident has reignited debates on how German schools teach about the Nazi era and the measures in place to prevent the normalization of extremist ideologies among youth.

UNITED STATES

White Supremacist Charged in 2019 Arson Attack on Tennessee Civil Rights Center

Federal authorities have charged Regan Prater, a known white supremacist, with arson for the 2019 fire that destroyed an office at the Highlander Research and Education Center in New Market, Tennessee. The center, renowned for its role in the Civil Rights Movement, lost decades of invaluable documents and artifacts in the blaze. An affidavit revealed that Prater had discussed the attack in white supremacist group chats, describing the use of a “sparkler bomb and some Napalm” (4). A white-power symbol, similar to one used in the Christchurch mosque shootings, was found near the fire site.

Prater had previously been sentenced to five years in federal prison for a separate arson attack in June 2019 on an adult video store in East Tennessee. The Highlander Center, which has hosted figures like Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr., expressed frustration over the years-long investigation and lack of updates from authorities. Despite the attack, the center remains committed to its mission, with plans to rebuild the destroyed office.

White Supremacists Raise Hundreds of Thousands for Woman Who Hurled Slur at Black Child

A video has surfaced showing a white woman, identified as Shiloh Hendrix, allegedly using a racial slur against a 5-year-old Black child at a playground in Rochester, Minnesota. The incident sparked national outrage and led to a significant fundraising effort on her behalf. Hendrix launched a campaign on the Christian crowdfunding platform GiveSendGo, claiming she was being harassed online and needed funds to relocate for her family’s safety. The fundraiser attracted support from white supremacists, antisemites, and racists, raising over $700,000. Many donors left comments expressing far-right and racist sympathies, prompting GiveSendGo to mute comments due to offensive content (5).

In response to Hendrix’s fundraiser, the local NAACP chapter initiated a counter-campaign to support the family of the child involved in the incident. Their campaign raised over $320,000, reflecting widespread condemnation of Hendrix’s actions and support for the victim’s family. The city of Rochester denounced the incident as “deeply disturbing” and confirmed that law enforcement was investigating the matter.

CAIR Condemns Distribution of White Supremacist, Neo-Nazi Propaganda in Wisconsin

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, has condemned the distribution of white supremacist and neo-Nazi propaganda in Wisconsin. The materials, promoting hate and bigotry, were reportedly disseminated in various communities, raising concerns among residents and civil rights groups.

CAIR called on local, state, and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate the incidents thoroughly and to take appropriate action against those responsible. The organization emphasized the importance of community vigilance and the need to counter hate speech and extremist ideologies. CAIR also urged public officials and community leaders to speak out against such acts to foster an inclusive and respectful environment for all residents (6)

Mother Arrested in San Antonio for Aiding Son’s Planned School Shooting

Ashley Pardo, a 33-year-old woman from San Antonio, Texas, has been arrested and charged with assisting her underage son in planning a mass shooting at Rhodes Middle Sch, drawings by the boy, including. The investigation began in January when school officials discovered a map labeled “suicide route” and references to the school alongside a rifle (7). In April, he was caught researching the 2019 Christchurch mosque massacre on a school computer, leading to his suspension and a subsequent suicide attempt. He was temporarily placed in an alternative school.

On May 12, the boy’s grandmother contacted authorities after finding him striking a bullet with a hammer. He revealed that his mother had supplied him with the ammunition and had taken him to purchase tactical gear, including a ballistic vest and military-style clothing. A search of his room uncovered loaded firearm magazines and an improvised explosive device labeled “For Brenton Tarrant,” adorned with neo-Nazi symbols. A handwritten note detailing plans for a school attack was also found. Pardo now faces charges related to terrorism and providing a minor with ammunition.

White Supremacist Convicted of Murdering Jewish Inmate in  Prison

A federal jury in Rockford, Illinois, has convicted Brandon Simonson, 41, of second-degree murder, conspiracy, hate crime, and assault for the killing of Jewish inmate Matthew Phillips at the U.S. Penitentiary in Thomson. The attack took place in 2020, and Phillips died three days later from his injuries. Prosecutors stated that Simonson and another inmate, Kristopher Martin, targeted Phillips because of his religion (8).

Evidence presented in court showed that both attackers were affiliated with a white supremacist gang called Valhalla Bound Skinheads and were seeking membership through the violent act. They possessed neo-Nazi paraphernalia, including swastika mugs and shoes marked with white supremacist codes like “88” and “14”. The two men also mocked Phillips for being Jewish. Simonson is scheduled to be sentenced on August 22, 2025, and faces a potential life sentence.

White Supremacist Prison Gang Leaders Sentenced to Life Without Parole for Prison Murders

Two leaders of the Aryan Brotherhood—a violent white supremacist prison gang—have been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in the United States. Francis Clement (58) and Kenneth Johnson (63) were found guilty of orchestrating multiple murders within the prison system between 2020 and 2022. These killings targeted inmates who allegedly broke gang rules or owed debts. The Aryan Brotherhood, founded in the 1960s, is known for its white supremacist ideology and violent enforcement of racial segregation within prisons.

Prosecutors described the group as a criminal organization that used violence, intimidation, and race-based hatred to maintain control and expand influence inside and outside the prison system. The convicted leaders coordinated killings, drug trafficking, and extortion operations from behind bars. Their group explicitly promotes white dominance, and members are typically required to hold racist beliefs and display Nazi or white supremacist symbols to gain entry and status within the gang (9).

FBI Identifies Bomber Targeting California Fertility Clinic in Terrorist Act

A 25‑year‑old man, Guy Edward Bartkus of Twentynine Palms, California, has been confirmed by the FBI as the perpetrator of a car bombing outside the American Reproductive Centers fertility clinic in Palm Springs on May 17, 2025. The explosion, which the FBI classified as an “intentional act of terrorism,” was one of the largest bomb incidents in Southern California in recent years. Bartkus died in the blast, and four others were injured, but fortunately, all embryos and the IVF laboratory remained unharmed (10).

Authorities recovered writings, an audio recording, and an apparent manifesto left behind by Bartkus expressing extremist “nihilistic” and anti-natalist (or “pro-mortalist”) beliefs—specifically, that bringing people into existence is unethical without consent. Investigators also discovered evidence suggesting he attempted to livestream the bombing. Bartkus’s actions appear driven by radical personal ideology rather than affiliation with an organized group.

CAIR Kansas Condemns White Supremacist Rally in Kansas City

The Kansas chapter of the Council on American‑Islamic Relations (CAIR‑Kansas) issued a strong condemnation of a white supremacist rally that occurred in downtown Kansas City ahead of Memorial Day. The gathering, reportedly organized by the Patriot Front—a Texas‑based white supremacist group known for using masked marches in coordinated attire—saw participants carrying altered American flags and shielding their identities. CAIR‑Kansas Board Chair Moussa Elbayoumy urged community leaders and elected officials to reject this promotion of hate and said: “We condemn this attempt to promote white supremacy and urge all community leaders and elected officials to similarly reject racism and all other forms of bigotry” (11).

Local authorities and institutions also voiced concerns. Kansas City’s mayor emphasized the importance of diversity and unity, defending the right to free speech while unequivocally rejecting hate-driven messages. The National WWI Museum and Memorial clarified that hosting such gatherings on public grounds does not reflect an endorsement of the group’s ideology, reaffirming its commitment against hatred, bigotry, and divisiveness in all forms.

Neo‑Nazi Cult Leader Extradited to U.S. for Plotting Mass Violence Against Jews

A 21‑year‑old Georgian national, Michail Chkhikvishvili—also known as “Commander Butcher” and “Mishka”—was extradited from Moldova to face federal charges in Brooklyn. Prosecutors allege he led the “Maniac Murder Cult” (aka MKY), a Neo‑Nazi accelerationist extremist group. He is accused of recruiting others via Telegram to plan violent hate crimes in New York City, including a scheme to distribute poisoned candy to Jewish children on New Year’s Eve while disguised as Santa Claus. He also shared bomb‑making instructions and promoted murders of “undesirables” in a manifesto dubbed the “Hater’s Handbook” (12).

According to the Department of Justice, Chkhikvishvili explicitly encouraged violence against Jews and racial minorities, including mass murder of children, and glorified prior killings, referencing his desire to “murder for the white race” and orchestrate attacks surpassing Anders Breivik’s. His extremist propaganda allegedly fueled real-world violence, inspiring an attack on a Nashville high school student and a stabbing at a Turkish mosque. He pleaded not guilty and awaits further proceedings, with a court appearance scheduled in June.

UNITED KINGDOM

Far‑Right Extremists Convicted of Planning Terror Attacks on Mosques and Synagogues

In a landmark case, three individuals in the UK have been found guilty of terrorism offenses for conspiring to execute a series of violent attacks targeting religious communities, including mosques, synagogues, and a Muslim community leader. The plot—uncovered by law enforcement and brought before a UK court—revealed that the men, inspired by neo‑Nazi ideology, amassed lethal weaponry and formulated detailed plans not only for bombings but also for torture and execution based on hate-driven motives.

The convictions underscore a growing concern about far‑right extremist networks in the UK, capable of translating hateful rhetoric into real-world violence. Prosecutors highlighted the defendants’ intent to destabilize and terrorize religious minority communities, marking this as a serious and unprecedented case of domestically planned far‑right terrorism. Sentencing is scheduled for July 17, 2025 (13).

ISRAEL

Far-Right Jewish Activists Attack Palestinians During Jerusalem Day March

Far-right Jewish groups violently attacked and harassed Palestinians during the annual Jerusalem Day march, which commemorates Israel’s capture of East Jerusalem in the 1967 war. Extremist participants chanted slogans such as “Death to Arabs” and displayed banners declaring “2025 – Gaza in our hands,” while marching through Palestinian areas of the Old City (14). Tensions escalated when ultranationalist activists stormed Muslim neighborhoods, leading to clashes and police intervention. Opposition leader Yair Lapid condemned the march as a disgrace and accused the government of enabling a climate of racism and hate.

The violence occurred amid heightened regional tensions due to the ongoing war in Gaza and increased military operations in the West Bank. Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, known for his far-right stance, further inflamed the situation by calling for the death penalty for “terrorists” and visiting the sensitive Al-Aqsa mosque compound. Palestinian officials denounced the rally and Ben Gvir’s actions, warning that such provocations threaten regional stability. Critics across Israeli society, including left-wing politicians, decried the event’s transformation into a display of hate, asserting that Jerusalem should be a city for all—Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike.

Graphical Analysis of Far-Right Terrorism in May 2025

In May 2025, a total of 14 incidents linked to terrorism and right-wing extremist violence were recorded across 4 countries, marking a slight decrease in geographic spread compared to April, when incidents spanned 10 countries. However, the total number of incidents remains high, indicating sustained activity. The United States experienced the largest concentration of the year, with 9 incidents, reinforcing its position as the primary hotspot for far-right and terrorist activity.

Unlike the broader international dispersion seen in April, May’s incidents were more concentrated in Western democracies, particularly in North America and Europe. This shift suggests a return to historically active regions rather than continued expansion into new territories. Still, the intensity of activity in the U.S. and the recurrence of violence in Germany signal persistent domestic threats. The data underscores the need for robust national counter-extremism strategies, as well as cross-border collaboration, especially in monitoring online radicalization and transnational extremist networks.

May 2025 saw a notable increase in judicial accountability, with more trials taking place across the United States and Europe in response to right-wing extremist crimes. This shift indicates a growing willingness by courts to pursue legal consequences for both past and ongoing extremist activities, reinforcing institutional deterrence through formal proceedings.

While acts of violence were less frequent, the most severe case was particularly alarming: a bombing outside a fertility clinic in Palm Springs, California, which the FBI classified as an act of terrorism. The attacker, driven by radical anti-natalist ideology, targeted a reproductive health center with the intent to inflict mass harm. Although fatalities were limited to the perpetrator, the incident illustrates how ideological extremism continues to evolve, incorporating newer, fringe motivations alongside traditional white supremacist or neo-Nazi narratives. This underscores the urgent need for prevention strategies that address not only established far-right movements but also the emerging hybrid ideologies that inspire lone-actor violence.

In May 2025, the ideological landscape of terrorism and right-wing extremist violence became more fragmented, with a broader array of motivations driving incidents compared to the ideological consolidation seen in April. While Neo-Nazism (29.2%) and White Supremacy (15%) remained dominant, the emergence of several lesser-reported ideologies—such as nihilism, anti-natalism, and accelerationism—signals a diversification in the ideological spectrum fueling extremist violence.

Of particular concern is the appearance of nihilistic ideology, which rejects moral, religious, and societal norms altogether and often glorifies destruction as an end in itself. This belief system was explicitly tied to the Palm Springs fertility clinic bombing, where the attacker combined nihilistic and anti-natalist ideologies—the latter holding that procreation is ethically wrong and that non-existence is preferable to life. The presence of these fringe but radical ideologies, alongside more established racist and xenophobic narratives, reflects a growing ideological volatility within the far-right. This trend complicates prevention efforts and highlights the need to expand counter-extremism frameworks beyond traditional racial supremacist paradigms.

REFERENCES

Anti-Defamation League (ADL). Center on Extremism. White Supremacists Help Raise Hundreds of Thousands for Woman Who Hurled Slur at Black Teen. https://www.adl.org/resources/article/white-supremacists-help-raise-hundreds-thousands-woman-who-hurled-slur-black

BBC Mundo. . BBC News Mundo. “¡Muerte a los árabes!”: judíos de extrema derecha atacan a palestinos en Jerusalén en la conmemoración de la toma de la ciudad. https://www.bbc.com/mundo/articles/c3d4rgmn4e0o

BBC News. . P. Kirby. US boy charged with plotting school shooting bought gun with mother. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwy6zk9wkrdo

BBC News. A. Moss & E. Johnson.  Far-right trio guilty of planning terrorism attacks on mosques and synagogues in UK. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9dq18q397yo

CAIR. CAIR Condemns Distribution of White Supremacist, Neo-Nazi Propaganda in Wisconsin. https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-condemns-distribution-of-white-supremacist-neo-nazi-propaganda-in-wisconsin

CAIR Kansas.. CAIR Kansas Condemns White Supremacist Rally in Kansas City. https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-kansas-condemns-white-supremacist-rally-in-kansas-city

DW Español. . O. Pieper.  Escándalo en una escuela alemana por propuesta de eslogan nazi. https://www.dw.com/es/esc%C3%A1ndalo-en-una-escuela-alemana-por-propuesta-de-eslogan-nazi/a-72665347

El País. .L. P. BEAUREGARD.  El FBI identifica al terrorista que atentó contra la clínica de fertilidad de Palm Springs. https://elpais.com/us/2025-05-18/el-fbi-identifica-al-terrorista-que-atento-contra-la-clinica-de-fertilidad-de-palm-springs.html

Infobae. A. Villalobos.  Su hijo planeaba un tiroteo masivo en su escuela y ella lo equipó: así cayó una madre en San Antonio. https://www.infobae.com/estados-unidos/2025/05/15/su-hijo-planeaba-un-tiroteo-masivo-en-su-escuela-y-ella-lo-equipo-asi-cayo-una-madre-en-san-antonio

Insurance Journal. T. Loller and A.  Morrison | Texas Mom Charged With Equipping Son for School Mass Shooting. https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southeast/2025/05/05/822481.htm

NBC News. The Associated Press.  Leader of Neo-Nazi ‘Murder Cult’ Extradited to U.S. from Moldova. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/leader-neo-nazi-murder-cult-extradited-us-moldova-rcna208936

Patch Rockford.. A. Schier, P. Staff. White Supremacist Convicted Of Killing Jewish Inmate In IL Prison: DOJ. https://patch.com/illinois/rockford/white-supremacist-convicted-killing-jewish-inmate-il-prison-doj

Politico Europe. N.NÖSTLINGE.. Germany arrests teens in far-right terrorist plot against migrants. https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-attack-migrants-teens-arrested-extreme-right-terror-plot

Swissinfo.. EFE. Condenan a cadena perpetua en EEUU a jefes de banda supremacista carcelaria por asesinatos. https://www.swissinfo.ch/spa/condenan-a-cadena-perpetua-en-eeuu-a-jefes-de-banda-supremacista-carcelaria-por-asesinatos/89366571