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This is Fresh Air. I'm Tanya Mosley.

My guest today, Joe Moore, spent nearly 10 years of his life living a double life as a member of the Ku Klux

clan. He did it as an informant for the FBI thwarting an assassination

attempt in 2007 on then presidential candidate Barack Obama and foiling two murder plots.

In his new book, White Robes and Broken Badges, Moore gives a firsthand account of his experiences

infiltrating the KKK's invisible empire, and the rise in

white supremacy ideology, specifically within law enforcement in Florida where he lived.

During his time as an informant,

Moore rose through the ranks, becoming friends with powerful members.

He wore wires to record their plans,

capturing discussions of a murder plot that would lead to the convictions of three clansmen.

Moore says his experiences gave him a clear view of how the seeds of hate sewn by the KKK, led to Charlottesville, January 6th, and the growing threat of white supremacist

extremist groups as we head towards the presidential election.

Fearing for his life as well as his wife and children, Joe Moore now lives under a new name in an undisclosed location.

Joe Moore, welcome to Fresh Air.

Thank you for having me. It's an honor to be here.

You were living in rural North Florida near Gainesville in 2007.

When the FBI tapped you to become what they called a confidential human source.

Now, this is highly unusual because you weren't affiliated with the KKK or the FBI at the time, so how did they find you?

...