Libertarians Join Anti-ICE Movement, Betraying 'Don't Tread on Me' Roots

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The author argues that libertarians have become confused and duped by the anti-American left in joining the anti-ICE movement. He contends that the anti-ICE activists, in their efforts to thwart immigration laws, have engaged in insurrectionist tactics such as setting up borders, checking IDs, and seizing control of city streets - actions that go against libertarian principles of limited government and individual liberty. The author draws parallels between the anti-ICE movement and the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone (CHAZ) in Seattle, where a black teenager was killed by 'civilian guards', highlighting the hypocrisy of the left's claims of ending police violence.

Why it matters

This case highlights the growing divide between libertarians and conservatives, as well as the dangers of libertarians aligning with the anti-American left. It raises questions about the rule of law, the role of federal immigration enforcement, and the limits of civil disobedience.

The details

The author argues that the anti-ICE movement, in its efforts to thwart America's immigration laws, has engaged in tactics that mirror the actions of the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone (CHAZ) in Seattle, where leftist activists seized control of city streets and perpetrated violence, including the killing of a black teenager. The author contends that these actions, such as setting up barricades, checking IDs, and seizing control of city streets, are not just a revolt against law enforcement, but an attempt to establish different laws, different borders, and a different kind of government, not through democratic processes but by directly seizing control of the streets.

• In 2020, the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone (CHAZ) or Capitol Hill Occupation Protest (CHOP) was established in Seattle in the wake of George Floyd's death.
• In early 2026, anti-ICE activists set up 'borders' and checked IDs in Minneapolis.

What they’re saying