'The Welfare-Warfare State is Anti-American': LP Presidential Hopeful Jacob Hornberger

The longtime activist believes in open immigration, free trade, ending the drug war, and bringing all troops back home immediately.

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Jacob Hornberger, who's running for the Libertarian Party's presidential nomination, has a message for Americans under 40:  "Right now, the government is taking out of your paychecks $2 trillion a year just for Medicare and Social Security….I'm saying, Bull! Keep your money, cut out the middleman…I trust you to handle this on your own."

Hornberger is the frontrunner in the race for the L.P. nomination following the withdrawal of Rep. Justin Amash (L–Mich.), and he's running on a platform that's straightforward, concise, and doctrinaire. He unapologetically stands for open immigration, free trade, an end to non-defensive military actions, the legalization of all drugs, and the replacement of the income tax and the IRS with voluntary payments to fund the government.

Nick Gillespie talked with Hornberger via Zoom about the role of the Libertarian Party, what he would do as president, and how his unconventional beliefs about history inform his policy positions.

The L.P. nomination process officially gets underway on Friday, May 22.

Edited by John Osterhoudt, intro by Lex Villena. 

Photo credit: Jacob Hornberger by Gage Skidmore

[tiavor]

at least he's consistent, you can't have open borders and welfare, only either of those two.

[loganlanglois]

"When you have an inherently defective system, it doesn't matter who's in charge" that really hit deep.

[jeffersonianideal]

Jacob Hornberger in 2020

The essential vehicle of liberty requires a resilient Bumper.

[jchan]

The same Ron Paul Revolution feeling gets fired up with Jacob! #JacobForLiberty #Hornberger2020

[calebcole]

Imagine a three way debate between Jacob, Donald, and Biden

[Bill_Woo]

Amazing interviewer. I didn't think I'd see that again after a long deterioration of the profession.
No softballs, no puff piece. Interrupts when it's useful, politely and flexibly. Goes after the tough issues and questions. Goes unabashedly into controversial areas. Agrees politely and disagrees politely. Brings each position into the relevance of Presidential action thereof (highly valuable to step in and do that when he could direct it that way). This is exceptional journalism. I had feared I would never see that again.

[QuillOfEarth]

I met Hornberger at a bar in North Carolina- this Man is as genuine as it comes. I don't think he is even capable of telling a lie. I'm so looking forward to casting my vote for him.

[dontlietome]

Imagine in the government had to crowd fund all of their BS.

[thatsamorais]

Yessss. Thanks for getting Jacob Hornberger, Reason and Nick Gillespie

[nathanweisser]

THANK YOU REASON.

Was about time he got a spotlight from y'all lol

[rasputinjesus]

About time you guys got him on. Jacob is the man, he’s the Ron Paul candidate the LP has been waiting to have for a long time. #Hornberger2020

[bradwatson]

Nick, I seriously doubt Ayn Rand would have thought there's a place in government for disaster relief. From what I've read, she thought government should be strictly limited to a military and a court system.

[J]

Would like to hear his opinion on Intellectual Property, 2nd amendment, and nuclear weapons

[holycrapchris]

"Any restriction on trade is interfering with your ability to raise your standard of living"

[theoelliott]

Jacob Hornberger deserved to win the Libertarian Party 2020 presidential nomination. Jo Jorgensen was a terrible choice. Trump 2020.

[susannahwhite]

America for Americans! Come through the legal way! American jobs for Americans! No open boarders!

[trygveplaustrum]

He's a little bit conspiratorial, but I appreciate a lot of his points! I know why I voted for him!

[Lord_Volkner]

I'm sorry to hear that Amash bowed out. I liked him.

[m_h]

I'm on board with all of his major stances, but the biggest problem the LP has is making the pitch for things such as "voluntary payments to fund the government" to people outside the liberty movement. Can we for a moment set aside the more far out stuff in favor of things that we can actually conceivably achieve like weed legalization and government non intervention

[robdoggerful]

Yes vote this guy in. I get so mad on a daily basis about so much of the double standard double speak from both sides of bad parties d and r. This guy gets it. People are smart and know what's best for them without government telling otherwise. Oh man I could go on and on.