Sovereign Citizens
The number of US citizens adopting the stance that they are sovereign citizens is growing at an alarming rate and causing havoc on law enforcement and the judicial system.
The growing number of people adhering to the sovereign citizen movement is primarily driven by periods of economic hardship, a fundamental distrust of government authority, and the rapid spread of pseudo-legal conspiracy theories online. The COVID-19 pandemic also served as a catalyst for a recent surge in popularity.
Key factors contributing to the movement’s growth include:
Economic Distress and Financial Promises: The movement tends to boom during economic downturns, such as the 2008 global financial crisis and the 1980s farm crisis. Adherents, often facing foreclosure or severe debt, are drawn to “gurus” who promise a way to eliminate debts, avoid taxes, and even access secret government funds through pseudo-legal tactics.
Anti-Government Sentiment and Conspiracy Theories: Adherents share a core belief that the current government is an illegitimate corporation that subverted an original, lawful government. This sentiment attracts people who feel disenfranchised, angry, or anxious about social and political changes, as well as those who are skeptical of institutions.
Appeal of Pseudo-Law and “Magical Thinking”: The movement uses complex, legal-sounding jargon and rituals (referred to as “truth language” or “pseudo-law”) which they believe can legally exempt them from laws, taxes, and court orders. This offers a powerful, yet entirely false, sense of control and empowerment to individuals who feel powerless in their lives.
Influence of Current Events and Overlapping Ideologies: Recent events, notably the COVID-19 pandemic and related public health measures (which many viewed as government overreach), have helped accelerate the movement’s spread. The movement also overlaps and draws new recruits from other conspiracy theory and far-right groups, such as QAnon adherents and anti-vaccine movements.
Internet and Social Media Dissemination: The advent of the internet and social media has facilitated the rapid spread of sovereign citizen ideology, instructional videos, and pseudo-legal documents across the U.S. and internationally.
Recruitment in Jails and Prisons: The ideology also spreads effectively within correctional facilities, where inmates with limited options are susceptible to claims that promise solutions to their legal and financial problems.
The movement has expanded over time beyond its original white supremacist roots to include people of diverse backgrounds, such as Moorish sovereign citizens, which has further broadened its reach.
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