NEW: A former US Marine, Donovan Crowl, stormed the Capitol as part of an organized militia. My latest for @newyorker, on what he reveals about the role of far-right groups last week and beyond: https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/a-former-marine-stormed-the-capitol-as-part-of-a-far-right-militia

Crowl, whose name and role in last week’s events are being reported for the first time in this story, is fifty years old and served in the Persian Gulf in 1990.

Crowl was wearing the crest of the Oath Keepers, a far-right group that recruits former and current law enforcement and military officials. He is also a member of a local Ohio militia that has shown up at political events, sometimes armed.

These are among a number of sometimes overlapping extremist groups that were present last week.

Far-right militias have deep roots in American history, and while several experts I spoke with said Trump had ignited those groups, they also did not believe their fervor would wane after Trump’s departure.

Crowl’s mother and sister, as well as a friend, said he had become increasingly radical and enamored of Trump and pro-Trump conspiracy theorists, and recalled him making racist remarks (something Crowl denied).

In an 80-minute interview, during which Crowl was drinking, he confirmed he had entered the Capitol, but said his intentions had been peaceful. (He also threatened me, told me he wanted to eat the faces of my family members, and said some stuff about phrenology.)

Crowl said his local militia had no plans related to the Inauguration, but also emphasized that his group and others like it will not be going away. His sister said she was ID’ing him in part because of fears related to future attacks.

Crowl was also the subject of intense scrutiny from a group of digital sleuths and citizen journalists. Thank you to everyone who shared their insights as I reported, and to @jsrailton, who has continued his efforts.