The Rise of Anarchism in America
From sanctuary cities to defunded police departments, from open-border advocacy to unchecked riots in the streets, we have witnessed the rise of anarchy that is increasingly sanctioned by the leadership of the political left in the United States.
As I watch the divide grow between the political left and the political right in the United States, I often shake my head in disbelief. How in the world have we gotten to this point during my lifetime? But I still try to make sense of what I’m seeing so I can better know how to respond to it.
We are a nation founded on the rule of law and the consent of the governed, but we’ve seen a troubling surge of anarchism in the United States in the last decade. Anarchism is a philosophy that rejects centralized authority, denies national sovereignty, and elevates the desires of individuals and states over established “national” law and the constitution. It views governments, borders, and laws as “oppressive” constructs that need to be overcome.
Sound familiar? From sanctuary cities to defunded police departments, from open-border advocacy to unchecked riots in the streets, we have witnessed the rise of anarchy that is increasingly sanctioned by the leadership of the political left in the United States.
Not surprisingly, this surge coincides with President Trump bursting onto the political scene to shake up the status quo on both the political left and the political right. His common-sense actions to counter destructive leftist ideologies, especially in the first nine months of his second term, have forced leftist leadership out of the shadows and into the limelight to publicly advance their anarchist agenda.
Not every advocate on the left knowingly waves an anarchist flag, but the policies pushed by their leadership advance anarchist principles by undermining federal authority, excusing lawlessness, and rejecting national identity. The result is a nation teetering on the edge of chaos, where order is sacrificed for leftist ideology. Let’s look at some examples:
Sanctuary Cities and States
Over 600 jurisdictions boldly proclaim that we don’t have the right as a nation to control our borders. As a result, they shield criminal illegal aliens from our nation’s laws! That’s Anarchism 101! California’s Senate Bill 54 bars local police from assisting ICE. State Senator Kevin de León said that “California’s values demand inclusion, not enforcement”. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said in 2021 that “We protect our residents, no matter their status.” By prioritizing “locally defined values” over federal law, sanctuary cities embody anarchist rejection of centralized authority, ignoring the U.S. Constitution’s Supremacy Clause.
Defund the Police Movements Dismantled Public Safety
The 2020 “defund the police” movement, embraced by the progressive left, reflects anarchist disdain for state-enforced order. Cities like Minneapolis ($8 million budget cut) and Seattle ($20 million cut) slashed police funding. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tweeted in 2020 that “Defunding means reallocating to communities.” The result? A 30% homicide spike nationwide, leaving communities like Chicago’s South Side reeling.
Open Borders Erase National Identity
The Biden administration’s border policies, like ending “Remain in Mexico” and halting wall construction, led to over 10 million illegal crossings since 2021. Vice President Kamala Harris, in 2021, called enforcement “inhumane,” focusing on “root causes” like poverty abroad. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, defending sanctuary laws in 2025, said, “Inclusion for all is our value.” This treats borders as artificial barriers, not sovereign necessities, echoing anarchist rejection of a nation’s right to exist. The cost? Fentanyl deaths hit 100,000 annually, and cities like New York spent $4.3 billion on migrant services in 2023.
Selective Prosecution Undermines Equal Justice
Progressive district attorneys, backed by leftist donors like George Soros, refused to prosecute crimes and released violent offenders. San Francisco’s Chesa Boudin and Chicago’s Kim Foxx prioritized “equity,” with Foxx stating in 2020, “We must rethink prosecution to heal communities.” Chicago saw a 50% homicide spike in 2021. Selective prosecution prioritizes anarchist ideology over truth and justice, risking public safety for utopian ideals.
Soft on Crime Policies Keep Criminals on the Streets
New York’s 2019 bail reform, championed by Governor Kathy Hochul as “a step toward fairness,” eliminated cash bail for most offenses. Result? 70% of released suspects reoffended. This leniency reflects anarchist disdain for punitive justice, prioritizing “reform” over safety and enabling lawlessness. People are dying from these policies. Alexander Dickey (40+ arrests), Decarlos Brown Jr (14 prior arrests), and Harvey Marcelin (dozens of arrests, including a murder conviction) all killed innocents in the last two years after being released from custody AGAIN!
Weaponizing Institutions Against Dissent
The Biden DOJ targeted conservatives, raiding Trump’s Mar-a-Lago and labeling parents as “domestic terrorists,” while sparing left-leaning figures like Hunter Biden. Attorney General Merrick Garland defended this as “protecting democracy.” Republicans, led by Mike Johnson, exposed this in 2023 hearings, demanding equal justice. This kind of selective enforcement echoes anarchist manipulation of power to silence opposition, perverting the rule of law.
Condoning Riots as “Protests”
The 2020 BLM and Antifa riots, with $2 billion in damages and 25 deaths, were downplayed by Democrats as “mostly peaceful.” Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan called the CHOP zone a “summer of love,” despite murders occurring there. Kamala Harris praised the riots’ “energy” in a 2020 interview. Condoning riots as “resistance” aligns with anarchist glorification of chaos as a tool for change. We’re seeing this escalate every day on the news as ICE agents are attacked for enforcing federal law.
Anarchism is on the rise right before our very eyes in leftist strongholds in America. It is being publicly encouraged by leftist Democrat leaders at the highest levels, and it threatens our republic’s very foundation. Sanctuary cities, open borders, defunded police, soft on crime policies, condoning violence, and weaponizing government reflect a rejection of authority, sovereignty, and law, echoing anarchist ideals.
As anarchism becomes more entrenched on the political left, we must all continue to fight for law and order, because without it we will lose our nation. That is, after all, the ultimate goal of anarchists!
