This was a necessary part of the process for Nazis to take over Germany. The use of street gangs, self-appointed militias, violent thugs, mad-dog killers and lone-wolf gunmen to create fear among the general populace and to intimidate political opponents was an important part of their stretegy. And also like Trump, they made sure that they coddled and cultivated these criminals and developed their ties to them, but without ever admitting it out loud so their opponents did not call them out on it.

Fascism thrives by bringing violence, thuggery and criminality to societies that are tolerant, complacent and open-minded enough to let them do it without putting up a fight.