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Sovereign Citizen Movement Fuels Violence, Terrorism Concerns

8/27/2025

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Summary

Story summary

The sovereign citizen movement, which began in the 1970s, promotes anti-government beliefs and claims laws do not apply to its followers.
The movement gained momentum during the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in violent incidents, including a recent shooting of two police officers in Victoria, Australia.
Courts consistently reject sovereign citizen claims as legally invalid, and the movement is associated with domestic terrorism in the U.S.

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Story summary

The sovereign citizen movement, which began in the 1970s, promotes anti-government beliefs and claims laws do not apply to its followers.
The movement gained momentum during the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in violent incidents, including a recent shooting of two police officers in Victoria, Australia.
Courts consistently reject sovereign citizen claims as legally invalid, and the movement is associated with domestic terrorism in the U.S.