American Patriots

"American Patriots" was the cover name for a squad of Freedom Party Guards carrying out a false-flag operation in Frankfort, Kentucky under orders from Jake Featherston and Saul Goldman. The group blew up a police station in the spring of 1941, then released a statement to the press proclaiming their deed and calling themselves American Patriots.

Featherston made a radio broadcast soon after the bombing, claiming that the attack proved that Kentucky was full of anti-Confederate dissidents who wished the state to return to US control. He used the incident to justify breaking the Richmond Agreement by moving the Army of Kentucky into the state for "pacification" purposes (in truth it was to gain a suitable jumping-off point for Operation Blackbeard, which began in June 1941). US president Al Smith responded by breaking off diplomatic relations.