White Robes and Broken Badges: Infiltrating the KKK and Exposing the Evil Among Us

by Joe Moore

In this shocking memoir, a former FBI informant reveals what he learned from successfully infiltrating the Ku Klux Klan in the backwoods of the Sunshine State, uncovering details about the hate group’s structure and its modern far-right spinoffs which are operating to achieve the same inciting a second civil war by whatever violent means necessary.

“We need you back.”

It was a call FBI informant and former Army sniper Joe Moore never expected to get. He’d already infiltrated the Ku Klux Klan once before, and his contributions prevented an assassination attempt targeting then-presidential candidate Barack Obama. Moore nearly lost his life in the process. But now, the FBI needed Moore’s help once again.

In White Robes and Broken Badges, Moore reveals the astounding true story of how he became one of the most entrenched and valuable undercover agents in the FBI’s history. Gripping, told with astonishing detail, this heart pounding and darkly propulsive memoir vividly recounts how he infiltrated the “Invisible Empire” at the highest levels—not once, but twice—becoming a Grand Knighthawk, overseeing security, defense, and internal communications for the domestic terrorist group across Florida and Georgia. Moore makes clear how the seeds of violence and hate spawned the tragedy in Charlottesville, the failed January 6 Capitol coup, and the growing threat posed by extremist militias—including the Oath Keepers, Proud Boys, Three Percenters, and others.

Going undercover, Moore discovered the shocking connections between the KKK and law enforcement across Florida—police officers, prison guards, and sheriff’s deputies who all belonged to the Klan—and eventually exposed the terrifying presence of right-wing extremists throughout law enforcement today. Moore reflects on the steep personal costs of immersing himself in the Klan’s racist ideology and twisted rituals—and its effect on himself and his family—while secretly providing the FBI with invaluable information on the Klan’s inner workings, murderous plots, and plans for civil war.

With a foreword by Congressman Jamie Raskin and illustrated with 8-pages of color photos, White Robes and Broken Badges is a comprehensive and unprecedented look at a growing threat in America and an urgent call-to-action—because ultimately, the answers to healing the divides in this country lie in its perilous history.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, True Crime, Memoir, Audiobook, Politics, Crime

338 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 13, 2024

Reviews

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

So apparently I rate everything five stars now, but I've just read some really amazing books lately. White Robes and Broken Badges is definitely one of those five-star reads because it is absolutely riveting. I was slightly leery when I first requested it from NetGalley because sometimes these types of memoirs can be a little dry, but this one is completely captivating. I finished it in two sittings and in under 36 hours, and it only took me that long because my body betrayed me on the first night and insisted on getting some sleep. (I could read so much more if I didn't need to sleep!)

This memoir focuses on Joe Moore's two successful attempts at infiltrating KKK groups in Florida. And, well, the man has balls of steel, I'll give him that. I would have been scared to death, and I'm also pretty sure that I don't have the poker face needed to carry out such a mission. I'd make it about five minutes before I rolled my eyes at an Exalted Cyclops (or whatever dumb title the KKK uses, I don't remember) and got “disappeared.” Moore was much more successful at his infiltration, however, and you'll definitely know how good he was at it because he tells you over and over and over. Which, I mean, fair enough … I guess if you risk your life (and the lives of your family) in order to take down some really bad guys, you've earned the right to be a little braggy.

But, seriously, this book is riveting but it's also very, very concerning. Moore goes into some depth regarding the history of the KKK and also how they (and other far-right extremist groups) are mobilizing in the present day. If he's correct – and I have no reason to doubt him – Americans everywhere should be extremely concerned about their ultimate goals, and we should vote like our democracy depends on it because it very well could. Moore talks about the January 6th insurrection and what led to it (and who encouraged it), and how, if the far-right extremists have their way, it won't be the last event of its kind.

Also, while it really has nothing to do with reviewing this book, can I say how disappointed I am that Obama's 2008 election (and his subsequent reelection in 2012) apparently led to a tremendous uptick in requests to join the KKK? (As did the 2014 killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri.) I've always thought of the KKK as an organization that had its heyday way in the past, but it turns out that's not really the case at all. It's more than a little depressing.

My overall rating: 4.7 stars, rounded up. White Robes and Broken Badges is fantastic and you should probably read it ASAP.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. Its expected publication date is August 13, 2024.

[Brynn Peterson Hamlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this guy might have been an army sniper but he only mentioned it once a page, so it’s anyone’s guess

[Madison ✨ (mad.lyreading) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Absolutely no idea how this book is getting fours and fives from other readers. I am a big memoir reader, and this is one of the most self aggrandizing memoirs I have ever read. If this book didn't have a forward written by Jamie Raskin, I would have concluded that this book was completely false based solely on the fact that it's written in a way that makes it clear the author has the biggest ego I have ever experienced.

Infiltrating the KKK and helping the FBI take down people attempting to commit actual murder is commendable. I am not saying that Moore's experience, assuming everything in the book is true, is not incredible and memoir-worthy. It is merely the tone of the book. Every time Moore talks to an FBI agent, they're absolutely flabbergasted by how good he is at gathering information, as if no one has been a successful undercover informant. Moore acts as if the FBI knew literally nothing about the Klan, despite the fact that this is not the first informant I have learned of who has infiltrated the KKK on behalf of the FBI.

The end is what really got me. (so spoiler alert here) After the successful trial of two Klansmen, which occurred in 2017, Moore discusses how the Klan is severely damaged and numbers begin dropping. This is despite the fact that 1) Moore told us in the beginning of the book that the Klan works so well because there is no true centralized order, as shown by his ability to infiltrate the Klan in one Florida town and semi-quickly infiltrate the Klan in another Florida town without anyone suspecting anything, and 2) Moore telling us TWO PAGES LATER that Klan numbers started going up after the 2016 election. So what is it, Joe?!

I got so tired of reading things like, "I talked to an FBI officer I cannot name in a Florida restaurant I also cannot name..." WE GET IT. YOU'RE AN INFORMANT. God it was so exhausting. Also, he did give us a LOT of information about his family that I would assume he shouldn't be doing for the protection of his family? So these three guys went to prison for less than 15 years, and your family is moving back to Florida, with the same legal names they already know (this book is published under his first legal name, not the one he changes it to after going into protective care)??? I feel like it wouldn't be that unreasonable for the Klan to be upset with you and your family Joe, not even 10 years after the trial? This added to the lack of believability for me. You won't tell us the name of the restaurant you are at with an FBI officer (which honestly, who even cares), but you'll tell us the name of your children and what state you're currently living in? Why?!

All in all, I suffered through the last half of this. Would not recommend.

Thank you to Harper and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Sharon Orlopp · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a tough book to rate because White Robes and Broken Badges: Infiltrating the KKK and Exposing the Evil Among Us is critical for understanding the rise of the alt-right and the threat to democracy. The author, Joe Moore, infiltrated the KKK two different times. He was able to stop an assassination attempt on presidential candidate, Barack Obama, in 2008. The information in the book is terrifying.

The aspect of the book that really bothered me was the self-aggrandizement. Memoir is my absolute favorite genre, and I have read hundreds of memoirs from a wide range of individuals. Humility and humbleness are traits I admire. It wasn't present in this memoir.

[Bree Doby · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book was super informative about the KKK and i learned a TON about some of its inner workings, how deep it runs institutionally, etc. but jeez the other half of this was the author tooting his horn SO heavily that i feel like it took away from the commendable work he did.

[Jack Zaphiris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This guy is either the single greatest undercover informant or is lying at different points during this novel.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I heard about this book on Fresh Air, and it is always so interesting to listen to an author speaking about their book. Joe Moore has done a lot of good at a high cost to himself and his family. I read a review that found him to be quite self-aggrandizing, and I guess you could say that. He writes of himself more as if he were an FBI agent rather than an informant, but that might be because of his military background. His story and his analysis is interesting and easy to understand. I appreciate him and his family's sacrifices and I also wonder why he wasn't taken care of more by the FBI.

[Ray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hey Google, what's the fastest way to move out of Florida without winning the lottery?

[rory · Rating 3 out of 5]

undeniably a very interesting story to tell but good lord the way this was written. contradictory statements are made, he mentions the same facts and events so often that i started to roll my eyes, and the tone was off putting. you can definitely tell the author has an ego

[Linnea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a hard time putting down this book. It was just that good.
But it’s also a hard hitting book that leaves you feeling sick to your stomach.

Honestly, all Americans (and others) should read this book and start thinking about their future. Because after what I read I would be scared living there.

Thank god that we don’t have that extreme nazi white supremacists in my country, but we’re not far off.

I do have to say that some parts felt a bit larger than life. Like the author almost was bragging about everything and how good he is at everything. Don’t get me wrong he did an amazing job, sometimes it just was a bit too much. It did not drag down my rating though.

ALSO, so interesting to read how he met the klans Imperial Wizard Frank Ancona. I felt like I had heard his name somewhere and I HAD! There’s this really interesting documentary about him and about how a black man gets to mingle around all these white supremacies. Not sure the name of it but it’s on YouTube!

[Jaime Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg! This explains so much as to what is currently going on in this country!!!! It makes so much sense. The KKK never went away it was building steam behind closed doors. As a country we must defeat these folks whenever and wherever we can.

Thank you for saving the life of then candidate Obama! You are an American treasure and hero!

[Ashley Duke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some of the reviews made me a little skeptical, but I’m glad I didn’t let them cloud my judgment. This was a fascinating and insightful read (and had me holding my breath a few times). A lot of people criticized the amount of times the author mentioned he was a former Army sniper, but to me, it felt like he only emphasized it to show how his background helped him gain the skills in order to successfully infiltrate the KKK. This book was also published prior to the 2024 election, and reading the author’s opinion on the dangers of a Trump presidency was chilling knowing what the outcome of the election ended up being and how we can already see some of the ramifications.

[Books with Nynke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well I did not expect to almost cry while reading this book about an undercover operation in the KKK. But this book shows the hope there is still is in humanity.
The story is told with such an understanding about the darkness off humans and standing up against bullies. Yet the only thing I feel is hope.

[Shannon Dyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Round up to 4.5 stars.

[Justin Powell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some really high points in the book/story and some really low points. Was a quick and easy read at least

[William Nist · Rating 5 out of 5]

A harrowing story of a US Army sniper turned FBI informant. This married man, endangering his family, infiltrated the KKK on two separate occasions in two different klavens. He is responsible, he claims, for the aborting of an assassination attempt against the then candidate Barack Obama. His work eventually diminished the reputation of the klan as individual members began to look over their shoulders for possible FBI informants. This all makes for a very interesting memoir.

But the real lesson here involves the evolution of the Klan into the militias known as the Proud Boys, Oath Keepers and the 3 Percenters. Apparently, as the Klan lost members, they migrated to these groups with their racial and anti government beliefs intact. And worst yet, many of these Klan and militia members are members of the police and sheriff departments around the country.

The author details how the appearance of Donald Trump give them a new energy and a hero figure. The 'invisible empire' as the Klan like to fashion itself, came out of the woodwork for the first time in 60 years. Think Charlottesville. The author believes they are a toxic threat to the stability of society and he was willing to risk his and his families life to bring them to justice. As I write this, the 2nd Trump administration is attempting to disseminate the FBI through firings of the very people who investigate domestic terrorists like the Proud Boys, and put in charge of the FBI a man who appears to be willing to redirect the bureau to investigating and prosecuting his bosses personal enemies.

The book is fascinating and terrifying.

[Stefanie Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Joe Moore recounts his days working undercover for the FBI to infiltrate the Ku Klux Klan. Moore was a lot calmer and certainly more level-headed than I would have been. If I wasn't panicking about the "naturalization" ceremonies while I was wearing a wire, my facial expressions would have given me away. The lingo that these members use is so childish and ridiculous. I could not keep a straight face when someone was calling another person Klexter and Kludd. Greeting each other saying Kigy Brother is so ridiculous, there is no way they wouldn't shoot me.

Living where I live, there are many hate groups. There are several chapters of KKK in my county. They make no effort to conceal their identity, especially over the past 10 years. The scariest part of this book was the confirmation that the KKK was banding together with other hate groups in hopes of inciting another Civil War. The amount of weaponry and inside information these people get is also scary, as they have members in all levels of government. This book was on Audible, and it took me about six hours to listen to at work today. Overall, it was very entertaining for a Monday at work. I learned a lot about ridiculous Klan phrases.

[Jordan Gannett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think people rating this book 1-2 stars are mad he took down members of the KKK.
If you look up stories by reputable sources it corroborates everything he says in the book. Maybe he is slight full of himself but why wouldn’t you sing your praises if you helped stop multiple murder plots sanctioned by white supremacists.
I also found it very gripping as a story and didn’t mind his writing style in the slightest.
Would heavily recommend

[Noah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story cool but they should invent a FBI agent who becomes an author and isn’t a complete douchebag

[Gillian]

DNF. Lost me after the forward.

[Dawn Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is just fantastic and was way more informative than I ever expected [you just never know with biography/memoirs ]. Once I started it, I didn't want to stop and ended up finishing it in two days and then had MASSIVE book hangover because W O W.

This is the story of a man, who after his military service, is called by the FBI to try and inflitrate the KKK, not once, but TWICE [and great risk to himself and his family ] and goes very deep each time [he talks at length about what he did to keep from losing himself when he was undercover and that was very interesting to read ] - enough to bring those factions of the klan down and to bring charges/convictions against some of the men who he was spending time with [in the second infiltration, he rose through the ranks very quickly and got involved in some stuff that only his quick thinking and smart talking kept him from having to do hideous and horrible things ].

Filled with personal stories mixed in with his time within the klan, the author also delves into what it means to have an uptick in these hate groups [and how they evolved out of the KKK, when they were languishing ], and how dangerous they truly are and how January 6th was really just a warm-up for what they truly want to do and how terrifying that knowledge should be for all of us and how all of us that despise all that those hate groups stand for and love democracy need to fight and VOTE like we have never done before.

This should be a must-read for anyone who believes in democracy and truth.

Thank you to NetGalley, Joe Moore [thank you sir for your service and for the hard work you've done and continue to do ], and Harper for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Hayley Chwazik-Gee · Rating 4 out of 5]

White Robes and Broken Badges is a wild ride of a memoir. In it, Joe Moore partners with the FBI to infiltrate two local chapters of the KKK in Gainesville, FL (2007) and Bronson, FL (2013). For nearly 10 years, Moore shared domestic terrorism intel with the FBI to help foil an assassination attempt against Barack Obama in 2007 and several planned murders of civilians. Beyond all that, his time pretending to be a hitman and then a Grand Knighthawk (security) uncovered a vast network of KKK members leading local police departments and DMV offices. This book also details the lead up to 2021, in which the KKK organized a prayer meeting in Portland, OR to help plan the Jan 6th attack on the Capitol and partnered with fellow white nationalists like the Three Percenters, Proud Boys, and Oath Keepers. I learned a lot about the KKK, its vile beliefs, practices, initiation ceremonies, structure, and scarily impressive reach across the country (and primarily the south). I was honestly hooked by this book even though the author was, pretty consistently, quite egocentric, self aggrandizing, and white savior-y. I still rated this pretty highly though for the access his insights provided into an otherwise inaccessible world.

[Emily Krueger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ad many of reviews mention, some things just don’t add up, and the tone doesn’t sit well with me.

I love the stories of the book, super fascinating, but the way they were told, along with the stories of his family, just felt like I was reading a non-fiction book. I did listen to the audio book, so maybe it was the tone of voice that threw me off.

Does get repetitive with some things he talks about, and I had caught myself saying a few times “get on with it” or “I already know that”. Is it just me being impatient, was the author thinking his audience may not be able to follow along, who know, but it got a lot and knocked down my liking for the book.

I was also surprised on how little the FBI/government knows about the KKK? I can’t imagine that’s the case, or was the case, but also made me question some things.

Was also very protective of his family (understandable) but stayed in Florida after the first mission was halted, and then went to infiltrate another Klan, but then seemed super protective when they were all the way across the country.

Wish I could give it more stars.

[Teddy! · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t think that I could ever love anything — much less my country — enough to risk my life for it like this guy did — does. After January 6, I’m no longer so surprised by the acts of hate that keep feeding this killing machine.

I think what I’m feeling is grief lately. There’s no believable lie I can tell myself about American exceptionalism anymore. I oscillate between wanting to think of Moore as a hero & feeling acute disgust that there’s even a need for his job rooting out domestic terrorism.

How do our leaders ignore their own humanity & deny the humanity of others to endorse violent acts of discrimination? It’s just gonna be one of those things I don’t get: another discomfort to live with as an American citizen.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

White Robes and Broken Badges is the memoir of Joe Moore, an Army veteran who spent ten years infiltrating the KKK as an undercover FBI informant. Moore offers this account as context for the recent heightened mainstream awareness of white supremacist organizations, in part due to their shift from autonomous underground groups to a larger, more openly operating coalition. Moore's undercover work spanned the surge in KKK membership and activity in the 2010s in response to the election of President Obama and the new legitimacy they received from the Trump administration. Moore recognizes that the stakes of his work with a renewed sense of urgency in light of the attempted insurrection on January 6, 2021.

The memoir portions of Moore's story are compelling. The story of his undercover work contains all the intrigue of a spy novel. He deftly conveys the tension of maintaining a double life, and the strain of living in protective custody for an extended period. I am surprised by Moore's focus on the risk to his family's safety, given this choice to tell the full story publicly. I also struggled with the conclusions and broader interpretations Moore offers of his undercover work. The final chapter "Be Very Afraid" is particularly heavy-handed in its warning that January 6 is only the beginning. I acknowledge the urgency that led Moore to publish his story at this particular moment, but the analysis is not as compelling as the story itself.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this book down. As a witness to the upheaval of our society during the civil rights protests of the 1960’s, I recall white supremacy and the Klan came into the forefront. They were always present in the south as domestic terrorists attacking the blacks but they became very active everywhere. Over the years many of the leaders were arrested and the klan ‘disappeared’ but many thought they just gave up the white robes and moved into normal society. Joe Moored investigation revealed they are in positions of power in many places. The fact that Joe Moore infiltrated the klan twice and came out alive is amazing! The information he gathered enabled the FBI to put several leaders in jail. Joe and his family suffered enormous upheaval because of his undercover work. Sadly the klan and white supremacist racist rhetoric persists and their philosophy threatens our very way of life.

[Jason Bednar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an important read for anyone who does not see the existential threat that white supremacy poses towards anyone who does not subscribe to their racist ideals. I can’t imagine how hard it had to be to go undercover as a confidential informant. Thankfully we do have people like the author who put themselves in harm’s way to keep racism out of our police and communities.

[Preston Ritchie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An important story of how one man’s conviction to make America a better place by facing its bullies. The author’s “Everyman” approach makes his journey more endearing. Yet his constant paranoia, though called for, can take the reader out of the narrative.

[Books Amongst Friends · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up

[Laurel · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO good. Highly recommend, especially in modern America!!