War, Divorce, or Federalism; America at a Crossroads

Political scientist Ryan D. Griffiths , author of The Disunited States , joins WDF to explain why America’s trendy calls for “national divorce” are, in his words, practically unworkable and likely dangerous. We dig into his global research on secession, the “sovereignty game,” Texas v. White, and why peaceful breakups are rare. Rick pushes him on radical decentralization, soft secession, and what...

Is federalism a lifeline—or a fantasy? Green Beret–turned–Virginia delegate Nick Freitas says America’s split is a worldview war , not a policy disagreement. We press him on national divorce, blue-state “soft secession,” and what it would take to win under the current system . From education and demographics to the Fed and the 16th/17th Amendments, this is a tactical map for liberty—or fracture—ov...

What is “soft secession,” and why are states forming alliances that look like alternative federal agencies? Rick explains the concept, surveys recent blue-state compacts, clarifies the legal guardrails on taxes and enforcement, and sketches practical, lawful ways states can cooperate without crossing constitutional lines soft secession, federalism 2.0, interstate compacts, public health alliance,...

Is civil war unlikely—but peaceful separation inevitable? Chris Rossini of the Ron Paul Liberty Report joins WDF to map real-world federalism, why D.C.’s corporate state drives polarization, and how sound money reforms could defuse conflict. We probe tariffs as worker-taxes, the revolving door, and whether states can build parallel systems to resist federal strings. If decentralization is the off-...

What if “unity” now guarantees authoritarian outcomes? Our Tavern Roundtable lays it bare: polarization, power worship, and punitive politics push America toward a cliff. Using the marriage/divorce lens, we test whether peaceful separation beats escalation—and why state-level sovereignty plays (gold depositories, tax independence) signal the post-D.C. future. Dark but honest—and focused on non-vio...

Can the national divorce conversation cool America down? Jason Fry says yes— if it’s lawful, non-violent, and sequenced. We unpack Texit vs. Calexit impulses, the case for local sovereignty , and a practical glidepath: binding referendum, structured negotiations, and a timed transition for pensions, payments, and bases. Why gerrymandering, executive whiplash, and federal overreach keep pushing us...

Are we headed for civil war, a national breakup, or a sane return to federalism? Dr. Rick Becker lays out the three futures—war, divorce, or federalism—and explains why the Anti-Commandeering Doctrine, state sanctuaries, and “soft secession” are changing the game. He dismantles Texas v. White, spotlights Brandeis’ “laboratories,” and argues why decentralization cools the political fever. If you wa...

Braver Angels’ Jessie Mannisto explains how structured debates humanize opponents and build trust. Rick Becker explores whether those gains can scale—and how federalism might complement depolarization. A rigorous, good-faith exchange on healing the republic without naïveté. Braver Angels, Jessie Mannisto, depolarization, civil discourse, structured debate, federalism, national divorce, secession,...

Washington controls the states with one tool: money. Research fellow Thomas Savidge of AIER joins Rick Becker to expose how grants, mandates, and debt have turned states into vassals of D.C. Can fiscal reform restore sovereignty—or is national divorce the only way out? fiscal federalism, national debt crisis, federal overreach, state sovereignty, decentralization, national divorce, secession, gran...

Forget begging D.C. to fix itself — Mike Maharrey says it’s time for states to ignore it. Rick Becker sits down with the constitutional bulldog to talk nullification, anti-commandeering, sound money, and why central bank digital currencies may be the ultimate tool of tyranny. nullification, tenth amendment center, mike maharrey, anti-commandeering, state sovereignty, national divorce, decentraliza...

Civil unrest? Debt implosion? EMP? 🆘 Developer-banker Michael Cobb lays out a no-nonsense evacuation map—legal residency, water independence, and why Bitcoin beats bullion when TSA lines turn medieval. Discover which Latin enclaves thrive and which beloved tourist traps will strand you. Plan B, bug-out, expat living, Michael Cobb, ECI Development, Belize real estate, Nicaragua property, decentral...

Is America better off without California? Marcus Ruiz Evans thinks so. Founder of Calexit Now, Evans makes the case that the Golden State no longer belongs in the Union. From military bases to the Jefferson secession movement, we break down the legal, cultural, and economic pillars of California’s radical path toward independence. calexit, california independence, national divorce, secession, marc...

You thought global power struggles were about tanks? Think again. Liberland’s Foreign Minister Tom Walls explains how a 3-square-mile “crypto country” is rattling Brussels, Zagreb, and Washington—without firing a shot. From tax-free passports to blocking Croatian bulldozers, Walls reveals why tiny Liberland could torch the old nation-state model—and why he’d welcome Texans fleeing the next civil w...

Former Libertarian VP nominee Spike Cohen joins Rick Becker to explore decentralization, nullification, and restoring dignity through local activism. Together, they dissect the dangers of centralization, the potential of peaceful national divorce, and why the 10th Amendment still matters. A powerful, principled conversation on liberty and the future of governance in America. decentralization, null...

In this episode of WDF: War, Divorce, or Federalism , Rick Becker sits down with Maggie Anders of the Foundation for Economic Education (FEE) to ask: Can Gen Z embrace liberty before it's too late? Is decentralization the answer to America’s polarization? Should we be talking about national divorce more seriously? We explore the loss of shared values, the dangers of federal overreach, and why...

Texas Nationalist Movement president Daniel Miller makes the case for a 2026 independence referendum and explains why Texas—and maybe two dozen other states—could soon exit a “post-constitutional” United States. Host Dr. Rick Becker presses Miller on Social Security, federal debt, nukes, blockades, patriotism, and what comes after a national divorce. If you’ve wondered whether Texit is real, start...

Rick Becker sits down with Professor Wall, host of From Steal to Secession AM , for an unfiltered discussion on America’s crossroads: radical decentralization, national divorce, or looming civil conflict. Drawing on the Anti-Federalists, the Ron Paul movement, and modern secessionist currents from Texas to New Hampshire, they debate realistic timelines, the role of CBDCs, Article V work-arounds, a...

Rick Becker and Cliff Maloney discuss the importance of content creation, grassroots mobilization, and the role of state politics in the broader context of American governance. They emphasize the need for a decentralized approach to politics, focusing on state-level initiatives and the impact of community organizing. The discussion also touches on the challenges faced by national organizations in...

Rick Becker and Cliff Maloney discuss the importance of content creation, grassroots mobilization, and the role of state politics in the broader context of American governance. They emphasize the need for a decentralized approach to politics, focusing on state-level initiatives and the impact of community organizing. The discussion also touches on the challenges faced by national organizations in...

Rick Becker and Valerie discuss the evolution of FreedomFest, a gathering focused on liberty and civil discourse. They explore the importance of engaging in diverse perspectives, the impact of populism, and emerging topics like Bitcoin and drug legalization. Valerie emphasizes the need for a full spectrum of freedom, including financial and personal liberties, and the significance of creating an o...

In this conversation, Larry Sharpe discusses the importance of decentralization and federalism in the United States, arguing that a more localized approach to governance could alleviate polarization and improve community engagement. He expresses concerns about the concept of national divorce, suggesting it could lead to violence and division. Sharpe emphasizes the need for hope and effective commu...