1020: Sovereign Citizens | Skeptical Sunday

Government Illegitimacy

Sovereign Citizens believe they are not subject to U.S. laws, viewing the government as an illegitimate corporate entity. Michael Regilio explains that they refuse to pay taxes, register their cars, or acknowledge zip codes, leading to frequent clashes with law enforcement 1. They argue that the U.S. government dissolved and became a corporation controlled by foreign banks, making them immune to its authority 2.

   

Pseudo-Legal Arguments

The movement employs pseudo-legal jargon to defend their beliefs, often representing themselves in court with bizarre language. Michael Regilio describes how they claim American flags with gold trim indicate admiralty law, rendering courts illegitimate 3. They believe they exist in a different legal dimension, using pseudo-legalese that confounds judges and law enforcement 4.

   

Two Classes of Citizens

Sovereign Citizens assert there are two classes of citizens: 'original' sovereign citizens and 'federal' citizens created by the 14th Amendment. Michael Regilio explains that sovereign citizens believe they retain all constitutional rights, while federal citizens have surrendered their freedoms for government benefits 5. They also claim secret bank accounts exist for each person, accessible only through specific rituals and jargon 6.

   

Money and Taxes

Financially, Sovereign Citizens believe in secret bank accounts tied to their birth certificates, which they can access with the right procedures. Michael Regilio notes that these accounts are part of a broader belief in a corporate government using citizens as collateral 6. Despite the absurdity, some have exploited these theories to commit tax fraud, costing the IRS millions 7.

   

Common Law Misinterpretations

Sovereign Citizens misinterpret common law, believing it overrides all other laws. Michael Regilio explains that they think common law, validated by the Constitution or divine mandates, makes them immune to U.S. laws 8. This flawed understanding leads them to use frivolous lawsuits and false liens as tactics, often referred to as 'paper terrorism' 9.