Federal authorities and academics have long described private paramilitary organizations as “militias.” Some critics say the term gives the groups more legitimacy than they deserve.

Kevin Mathewson, who quickly organized the Kenosha Guard on Facebook, said the Wisconsin city’s police were outnumbered during protests. The streets turned deadly after his call to arms.

Gov. Ralph Northam of Virginia was discussed as a possible target by members of an anti-government group charged with plotting to kidnap the Michigan governor, the F.B.I. said.

With its fervent gun culture and its gaping differences between urban and rural populations, Michigan has seen its divisions grow ever wider since at least the 1990s.

Kyle Rittenhouse, accused of killing two people during protests of a police shooting, faces six criminal counts. His social media accounts showed strong support for officers.

A search warrant affidavit seeks cellphone records for a man the police believe smashed store windows with a sledgehammer to provoke racial unrest.

Rejecting the deployment of camouflaged federal agents, big-city mayors said the Trump administration should use its resources to help tackle problems like gun violence.

In recent days, one person was killed in Seattle and two people were injured in Bloomington, Ind. Dozens of similar incidents have occurred across the United States.

Nine children under the age of 18 have been shot dead in Chicago since June 20.

Greg Abbott, the Republican governor of the country’s largest Republican-controlled state, is facing increasing pressure over his decision to open the economy.