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A recent survey shows that Californians want autonomy—what does this mean?
In this episode, Greg talks with Coyote Marin, co-founder and executive director of the Independent California Institute, a nonprofit think tank focused on educating Californians about their relationship with the federal government. Unlike advocacy groups, Coyote’s organization doesn’t push a single path forward—it lays out facts, options, and tradeoffs so Californians can decide for themselves.
Joe Mathews: The existence of such a path may surprise today’s Californians. That’s because our police insist that they are powerless to challenge unlawful actions or abuses by federal agents. Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell advised officers that, when called to a scene where citizens allege federal abuses, all they can do is verify the identities of federal agents.
In this position, McDonnell and police are not just wrong — they are violating their oaths to enforce state and local laws. The Clifton case makes this plain.
Today we’re talking with our friend Coyote Marin, Executive Director of the Independent California Institute, about the new poll they’ve put out with YouGov on California sentiment toward autonomous rule.
Coyote walks us through the polls, including some very interesting small steps that Californians could take toward stronger autonomy that our legislators could get behind, given voter sentiments.
Thomas Elias: There can be no doubt that the relatively few Californians strongly interested in becoming an independent country have had high hopes that President Trump’s “War on California” would drive many new adherents to their camp.
So far, it is not happening at a level that can be taken seriously. That’s the upshot of a new poll taken by the YouGov survey service for the Carlsbad-based Independent California Institute (ICI).
Robin Epley: If you, like me, in recent days have wistfully considered a utopian fantasy where an economically powerful country of California breaks away from the chaos of a second Donald Trump presidency, then I have both good news and bad news for you:
The good news is that the fantasy seems to be rapidly gaining support. A new YouGov poll of 500 California adults, commissioned by the Independent California Institute last month, reports a record high 44% who say they would vote for the state to secede from America and become a fully independent nation.
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.
Libor Jany: According to a new poll from YouGov, a public opinion research firm, nearly three-quarters of Californians believe local police officers should arrest federal immigration agents who “act maliciously or knowingly exceed their authority under federal law.”
The same survey also found that a majority of state residents want to completely forbid California officials from collaborating with immigration enforcement and make it easier for citizens to file lawsuits when “authorities violate the due process rights of immigrants.”
James Bickerton: A new poll has found 44 percent of Californian adults would vote for the state to leave the United States and become a fully independent nation, which the Independent California Institute (ICI) told Newsweek is a “record high poll result for secession.”
The latest poll also found 50 percent of Californians said they trust state authorities in Sacramento more than the federal government in Washington D.C., with only 23 percent having the opposite view. This was a stark deterioration in the federal government’s position since the last ICI survey in January, which put the figures at 34 percent for Sacramento and 18 percent for Washington D.C. respectively.
Carlsbad, CA: 72% of Californians said California police to arrest federal immigration officials that “act maliciously or knowingly exceed their authority under federal law,” in a poll conducted this June. The poll was conducted by YouGov for the Independent California Institute, a non-profit think-tank.
Carlsbad, CA: A record 71% of Californians said they would be better off if California negotiated special autonomous status within the U.S., giving Californians more control over decisions currently made by the federal government, in a poll conducted this June. The poll was conducted by YouGov for the Independent California Institute, a non-profit think-tank.
