Why did Mike ter Maat LEAVE the Libertarian Party?

Join Big John and Mike ter Maat on Liberty Lens as they discuss Mike’s bold decision to leave the Libertarian Party for the Republican Liberty Caucus. They explore the reasons behind this shift, including existential threats to the U.S. like financial collapse and civil unrest, and why Mike believes the Republican Party is the battleground for liberty-focused policy change. The episode covers the challenges of third-party politics, the importance of principled campaigns, and critiques of current immigration policies, including concerns about militarization and due process. They also address Gavin Newsom’s handling of recent unrest and the Trump administration’s immigration rhetoric. Tune in for a candid conversation on liberty, strategy, and political branding.

Chapters:
00:00:39 Mike ter Maat’s Party Switch Announcement
00:01:31 Reasons for Joining the Republican Liberty Caucus
00:02:32 Threats Facing the U.S. and Policy Failures
00:03:28 Challenges of Third-Party Politics
00:05:15 Age and Urgency in Political Strategy
00:07:42 Role of Libertarian Principles in the GOP
00:09:16 Spike Cohen as a Libertarian Brand Ambassador
00:11:27 Comparing Liberty Advocates Across Parties
00:13:26 Importance of Party Branding and Independence
00:14:43 Value of Principled Campaigns
00:16:11 Democratic Party’s Missed Opportunities
00:18:40 Immigration Policy and Public Perception
00:21:18 Gavin Newsom’s Response to Unrest
00:25:08 Trump Administration’s Immigration Rhetoric
00:29:39 Concerns About National Guard and Martial Law
00:32:24 Prioritizing Deportations and Due Process
00:36:06 Constitutional Authority and Policy Execution
00:39:54 Streamlining Due Process for Deportations
00:42:15 Community Relations in Law Enforcement
00:45:15 Issues with Legal Immigration System
00:47:25 Messaging and Policy Consistency