I was thinking for a while the early Trump-era “let’s channel memer energy into bonehead punching-minorities-in-the-street” didn’t actually make sense but the right couldn’t fully demobilize its street-fighting wing in case they needed to repel general or rent strikes. I suppose the Proud Boys becoming the face and being told to “stand back and stand by” fits there, I don’t think they’re up to mattering in a national election yet