A sovereign citizen is an individual who adheres to a belief system that rejects or challenges the legitimacy of government authority. Sovereign citizens commonly assert that they are independent entities not bound by federal, state, or local laws. They often use pseudo-legal tactics, such as filing fraudulent legal documents and refusing to recognize government-issued identification, based on the belief that the traditional legal framework is illegitimate. This ideology can include rejecting taxes, court orders, and other government regulations. Key beliefs of sovereign citizens typically include:
- Rejecting government authority and asserting personal sovereignty.
- Using pseudo-legal language and documents that misinterpret legal concepts.
- Claiming immunity from taxes and legal obligations.
- Believing they are subject only to God's law and common law, not to modern governmental law.
The movement has roots in anti-government and conspiracy theories, sometimes with racist and antisemitic origins. Sovereign citizens often attempt to renounce their U.S. citizenship and claim to be citizens only of their state or common law entities. However, their beliefs and actions have no legal basis, and they remain subject to laws and legal consequences regardless of their claims. This group poses challenges to law enforcement due to their refusal to comply with laws, court orders, and tax obligations, sometimes leading to criminal charges for activities such as tax evasion, filing fraudulent documents, and obstruction of justice. In summary, a sovereign citizen is someone who claims to exist outside government jurisdiction and laws, based on misunderstood or distorted interpretations of law, but these claims are legally invalid and can result in serious legal ramifications. This explanation synthesizes information from multiple sources to provide a comprehensive understanding of what a sovereign citizen is. Details include their beliefs, behaviors, legal challenges, and origins. The phenomenon is recognized and studied by law enforcement and government agencies due to the potential risks and illegal actions associated with the movement.
