'Likely to grow even worse.' Ohio ranks No. 2 for most extremist anti-government groups

'Likely to grow even worse.' Ohio ranks No. 2 for most extremist anti-government groups

Ohio has 31 active anti-government groups – the second-highest number of extremist anti-government groups in the country, according to a new report from the Southern Poverty Law Center.

The study identified more than 560 extreme antigovernment groups that were active nationwide in 2020, nearly 170 of which were militias.

Seventeen of Ohio's 31 antigovernment groups were considered militias in 2020. The Southern Poverty Law Center did not include the Ohio State Regular Militia in its list, though the FBI says that militia group is a "dues-paying subset" of the Oath Keepers.

Jessica Marie Watkins, 38, who considers herself the commanding officer of the Ohio State Regular Militia, says the militia is “a group that is sworn to defend the Constitution. We are NOT anti-government. We do not allow any intolerance or extremism. We Back the Blue!”

Watkins was one of two Ohioans indicted on conspiring to obstruct Congress after a mob stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.

More: 'This kettle is set to boil': 2 Ohioans indicted after texts, videos show plan for riot at U.S. Capitol

More: Ohio militias: Who are the Oath Keepers, Ohio State Regular Militia?

“The anti-government threat is likely to grow even worse in the months ahead, with the real possibility of new acts of domestic terrorism in response to Donald Trump’s impeachment trial, new health and safety measures to combat COVID-19, and more,” president and CEO of the Southern Poverty Law Center, Margaret Huang, said.

The Southern Poverty Law Center says the anti-government movement has experienced a resurgence and grown quickly since 2008, when President Barack Obama was elected. These groups often define themselves as opposed to the "New World Order" and engage in conspiracy theorizing. The groups listed are not necessarily advocates of violence or other criminal activities, and are not necessarily racist, the report reads.

These groups spread unfounded claims and conspiracy theories that downplay the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center. Some of these groups also came out to counterprotest the Black Lives Matter movement.

More: Auditor: Despite warnings of violence, Bethel was 'unprepared' for BLM counterprotesters

The only other state with more anti-government groups than Ohio was California, with 51 groups, according to the report.

You can read the report and find the list of all 31 Ohio antigovernment groups here.