Wisconsin ‘Three Percenters’ group defends itself, Republican lawmaker defends visit

In the aftermath of a violent gathering of white nationalists in Virginia and a foiled bomb plot in Oklahoma, a militia network known as the Three Percenters has found itself in the news. And because he met with Wisconsin’s chapter of the group earlier this month, a Republican state lawmaker is facing accusations of supporting white nationalism from critics on social media.

State Rep. Joel Kleefisch, R-Oconomowoc, posted a photo to his Facebook page on August 6 after speaking with the Wisconsin chapter of the Three Percenters. The photo went largely unnoticed until early this week, after the group’s name was included in reports on two incidents: the violent white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, and a thwarted anti-government bomb plot in Oklahoma.

Kleefisch with his friends.