The “God’s Army” convoy rallied in three cities near the southern border this weekend, drawing a mix of Christian nationalists, MAGA influencers, Jan. 6 rioters, aspiring lawmakers, live streaming grifters, QAnon conspiracy theorists, and paramilitary groups.

The stated purpose of the rallies—officially called the “Take Back Our Border” convoy— in Quemado, Texas, Yuma, Arizona, and San Ysidro, California, was to protest the Biden Administration's handling of immigration across the U.S.-Mexico border. 

But the rhetoric at those events went well beyond gripes about immigration policy. Speeches were a soup of grievances, anti-government conspiracies, and dehumanizing language about migrants.

Jan. 6 rioters were hailed as folk heroes: “I am a January 6 defendant, guns up,” declared speaker Ryan Zink, who served 60 days in jail for his crimes during the insurrection at the Capitol, and is now running for Congress.