Ep 10. Sovereign Citizens

In this episode of Hate Thy Neighbor, season 2 episode 10, host Jamali Maddix explores the controversial ideology of Sovereign Citizens. Sovereign Citizens are a loosely-affiliated group of individuals who reject the authority of the government and refuse to pay taxes or follow laws they deem unconstitutional.

Maddix travels to Arizona, where he meets with a self-proclaimed Sovereign Citizen named Rich Iverson. Iverson lives on a compound with fellow Sovereign Citizens and asserts that he is a "free inhabitant" of the land, not subject to the laws of the United States. Maddix witnesses Iverson and his group engage in a confrontation with law enforcement, leading to a tense standoff.

Next, Maddix travels to Utah to meet with members of the Church of the Latter Day Sovereigns, a branch of Sovereign Citizens who believe in a mix of Mormonism and Sovereign ideology. Maddix attends a church service and speaks with members about their beliefs and their clashes with the government.

Finally, Maddix travels to California to meet with former Sovereign Citizen John Hagee, who renounced his beliefs and now functions as a deprogrammer, helping others to leave the Sovereign movement. Maddix speaks with Hagee about his own experiences and the tactics he uses to help others leave the movement.

Throughout the episode, Maddix provides a nuanced exploration of Sovereign Citizens and their beliefs, examining the roots of their ideology and the implications it has for society as a whole. He challenges their claims of legitimacy and analyzes the danger their beliefs can pose to government officials and other citizens. The episode also incorporates interviews with scholars and experts who provide further context and historical analysis of the Sovereign movement.

Overall, Hate Thy Neighbor season 2 episode 10 is a thought-provoking exploration of a controversial and often misunderstood movement. Through personal interviews and careful examination of ideologies and actions, Maddix provides viewers with a deeper understanding of the Sovereign movement and the potential consequences of its beliefs.