Moms for Liberty Faces Backlash from Former Leaders

Some original chapter chairs resign, claiming the group's focus has shifted away from grassroots organizing

Apr. 16, 2026 at 11:39pm

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A dimly lit, cinematic painting depicting an empty, shadowy political office space with a lone desk and chair bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight, conceptually representing the changing dynamics within the Moms for Liberty organization.As Moms for Liberty faces an exodus of founding members, the group's growing political ties and shifting focus raise concerns about the future of its grassroots mission.Seminole Today

Former members of the controversial parents' rights group Moms for Liberty are speaking out, claiming the Florida-born organization is plagued with infighting, membership turnover, and a leadership focused more on photo ops with President Trump than issues at home. Several original chapter chairs have recently resigned, citing the group's shift away from local education issues toward a national movement centered on donors and the former president.

Why it matters

Moms for Liberty rose to prominence during the pandemic by fighting school mask mandates and promoting book bans, but the group's rapid growth and increasing political ties have led to an exodus of some founding members who feel the organization has lost its grassroots focus.

The details

Former Moms for Liberty chapter chairs Jennifer Pippin, Jessica Tillman, and Angela Dubach all recently resigned, claiming the group has moved away from its original mission of supporting parents' rights at the local level. They allege the organization is now more concerned with photo ops at the White House and securing a seat at the table with former President Donald Trump than empowering grassroots volunteers. Founder Tina Descovich defends the group's newfound access to the highest levels of government, saying it's an opportunity they can't refuse.

  • Moms for Liberty was founded in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Dubach, Tillman and Pippin started their local Moms for Liberty chapters in Florida in 2021.
  • Descovich says she has been invited to the White House about a dozen times since last year.
  • Tillman resigned from Moms for Liberty in December 2025.

The players

Jennifer Pippin

Former chair of the Moms for Liberty chapter in Indian River County, Florida.

Jessica Tillman

Former chair of the Moms for Liberty chapter in Seminole County, Florida, and the group's former Florida legislative committee leader.

Angela Dubach

Former chair of the Moms for Liberty chapter in Pinellas County, Florida.

Tina Descovich

One of the original founders of Moms for Liberty.

Alyssa Hines

The leader of the Moms for Liberty chapter in Hillsborough County, Florida.

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What they’re saying

“The reason why I resigned is because I feel like we've gotten so far away from the grassroots movement.”

— Jennifer Pippin, Former chapter chair

“The organization moved away from their mission.”

— Jessica Tillman, Former chapter chair

“It was more about a national movement and the big picture and their donors.”

— Angela Dubach, Former chapter chair

“When you're not supporting those local school board members, when you're not supporting your local chapters and not working to get the best policies and procedures at the local level, then state level and then federal level, you're losing the base of the organization.”

— Jennifer Pippin, Former chapter chair

“I think it's great. Anytime that we have a seat at the table to help push and help support our parental rights is the way to go.”

— Alyssa Hines, Moms for Liberty chapter leader

What’s next

The group maintains that since 2021, they have helped get more than 100 laws passed around the country, and they say they will continue to pursue their mission of defending parental rights, even as some founding members depart.

The takeaway

Moms for Liberty's rapid rise and increasing political ties have led to an exodus of some original chapter leaders who feel the organization has shifted away from its grassroots origins, raising questions about the group's future direction and commitment to local education issues.