The Libertarian Party of North Carolina has denounced what it calls a dangerous expansion of federal power under the Trump administration, warning that recent policing actions by the government undermine constitutional rights and “erode the foundations” of a free society.

In a statement published August 19, LPNC Chair Ryan Brown said that recent domestic-policing measures by the administration reflect a “blatant disregard for the rights of American citizens.” He pointed specifically to the deployment of military personnel in California and Washington, D.C., calling them violations of the Posse Comitatus Act, a federal law limiting the use of armed forces in domestic law enforcement. Brown argued that such policing should be carried out by “properly trained and accountable civilian agencies.”

The statement also criticized reports of stop-and-frisk tactics in Washington, D.C., stating the practice violates Fourth Amendment protections, disproportionately targets minority communities, and has not proven effective in reducing crime. Additional referenced concerns include federal efforts to criminalize homelessness, which the party described as inhumane and counterproductive, and the use of unmarked, unidentifiable, masked, and armed federal agents to detain residents, a tactic it likened to those of authoritarian regimes.

The statement also questioned what it called misplaced security priorities. Brown contrasted “reduced protective measures” for Ghislaine Maxwell and secrecy surrounding the Jeffrey Epstein case with stepped-up domestic-policing measures, arguing that resources are being shifted away from high-profile criminal cases toward policies the party said diminish civil liberties.

Brown said the state party remains committed to promoting individual freedom and limited government, and called for immediate steps to restore accountability and transparency in law enforcement, strengthen civil-liberties protections, and address what he described as the “root causes of social problems.” He urged elected officials to voice similar opposition.

“We call on all elected officials, regardless of party affiliation, to stand up against these abuses of power and defend the rights of all Americans,” Brown continued. “We urge the Trump administration to immediately cease these unconstitutional and dangerous practices.”

Jordan Willow Evans, Independent Political Report