Category: Federal Lands

Why is 45% of California’s territory owned by the federal government?

on-us-independence-day-44-in-california-the-worlds-4th-largest-economy-want-to-secede-is-a-breakaway-vote-next

The Economic Times: On US Independence Day, 44% in California, the world’s 4th largest economy, want to secede – is a breakaway vote next?

ICI July 4, 2025

California independence movement is gaining momentum, with fresh 2025 YouGov poll results revealing that most Californians now trust Sacramento more than Washington. A rising 71% want California autonomous status, and 56% say Californians would be better off with peaceful secession. From controlling state borders like a country to arresting rogue ICE agents, residents are leaning into California self-governance more than ever.

The push for California independence isn’t just symbolic—it’s tied to land rights, immigration enforcement, and even tax reform. Dive into the full story to see what Californians really think about their future outside federal control.

Plentiful Popplies. By Kevin (slworking2 on Flickr). CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Poll: Californians ready to govern themselves, stop just short of secession

ICI June 29, 2025

50% of Californians say they trust Sacramento more than Washington—only 23% say the reverse.

71% say California would be better off with special autonomous status within the U.S.

44% of Californians would vote for a ballot measure for peaceful, legal secession—but 54% would vote against.

72% of Californians want California police to arrest federal immigration officers that exceed their authority or act maliciously.

80% of Californians want to control borders with other states “like a country.”

Californians endorse more than a dozen changes to state policy that would make California more autonomous.

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The Drain (podcast): California Independence, with Coyote Marin of the Independent California Institute

ICI April 29, 2025

Did you know that California recently passed Japan as the fourth largest economy in the world? It’s true. Even within the US, our state is a powerhouse, comprising 1/7 of the US economy.

In fact, California put $83 billion more into the country in taxes in 2022 than we received in programs and benefits. That’s what we call a donor state.

Add all of that to Washington, D.C. spiraling deeper into fascism every day, and it’s worthwhile asking if the people of California would be better off on their own.

LA Fire Dept fights Palisades Fire

Connecting California: Did the L.A. Fires Start in D.C?

ICI January 30, 2025

Joe Mathews: The flames that leveled Pacific Palisades and Malibu are believed to have started in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, managed by the National Park Service. (That’s you!).

The blaze that turned Altadena to ash burned through the Angeles National Forest, managed by the U.S. Forest Service, which is part of the United States (you again!) Department of Agriculture.

two Canada geese in flight

CalMatters: If California split from the US and became a nation, it would be comparable to Canada

ICI January 24, 2025

Legendary California reporter Dan Walters covers our poll for CalMatters:

The transcontinental sniping raises an old question: Could California sever ties with the United States and once again become an independent country? The San Diego County-based Independent California Institute thinks so.

California flag trying to escape

Poll: As Trump Is Inaugurated, Californians Seek Independence

ICI January 19, 2025

Highlights: 61% of Californians polled say California would be better off if it peacefully seceded. 77% say California should control its state borders “more like a country”. 63% support using hardball tactics in the U.S. House to gain autonomy. Californians now feel more Californian than American overall.

Please submit press inquiries to press@ic.institute.

Photo credit: Ken Lund via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0

Democracy Local: How to Achieve Local Autonomy

ICI November 2, 2024

Fully 68% of Californians believe that California would be better off if California negotiated a special autonomous status within the U.S., according to a poll that my think tank, the Independent California Institute, commissioned from YouGov earlier this year…. Why might Californians want more independence from the federal government?