Across the country, we witness a growing trend of federal and state governments enacting measures—such as administrative orders, executive actions, judicial rulings, mandates, and regulations—that infringe upon our constitutional rights and undermine the doctrine of separation of powers. This overreach was especially evident during the 2020 COVID-19 crisis, where emergency orders were used to circumvent constitutional protections and restrict the liberties guaranteed to all Americans.
At the local level, however, county governments, sheriffs, and law enforcement agencies remain the last line of defense against unconstitutional actions. In response to this growing concern, many counties and cities across the nation have taken proactive steps to declare themselves “Sanctuary Counties” for the Bill of Rights, ensuring that fundamental freedoms cannot be revoked under the guise of emergencies.
Empowering Local Government to Protect Constitutional Rights
We are mobilizing citizens throughout Florida to urge their county commissioners and city councils to pass Bill of Rights Constitutional Sanctuary County ordinances and resolutions. These measures empower local law enforcement and elected officials to uphold and defend constitutional liberties within their jurisdictions.
A Bill of Rights Constitutional Sanctuary County operates under the principle outlined in The Doctrine of the Lesser Magistrates by Matthew J. Trewhella, which asserts that local officials have a duty to interpose and shield citizens from unlawful government overreach. By adopting these ordinances, counties affirm that they will not enforce or recognize any executive orders, regulations, laws, or mandates that violate constitutional rights. Such measures effectively nullify unconstitutional directives within the county, ensuring they are deemed invalid, unenforceable, and void.
Defending Freedom in Florida
Florida has long been recognized as one of the most constitutionally conservative states in the nation. Already, five counties have taken a stand by passing resolutions or ordinances that reaffirm their commitment to upholding constitutional protections and rejecting unlawful government overreach. These actions were largely taken in response to sweeping emergency declarations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Additionally, over the past two decades, 44 counties in Florida have passed Second Amendment Sanctuary resolutions, signaling their refusal to comply with gun control measures that infringe upon the right to bear arms. These measures push back against red flag laws and other policies that erode constitutional protections. Similarly, in response to the escalating border crisis, 47 Florida county sheriffs signed agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to assist in enforcing immigration laws—agreements that were effectively nullified when the Biden administration ordered ICE to “stand down” in 2021.
These actions demonstrate the strong constitutional values held by Florida citizens and elected officials. Recognizing this, we have chosen Florida—specifically the five counties that have already adopted constitutional protections—as the foundation for expanding this movement statewide.
Building the Constitutional County Strategy
Our goal over the next two years is to target the 47 constitutionally conservative counties in Florida and encourage them to adopt Bill of Rights Constitutional Sanctuary County measures. A Constitutional County is officially established when the County Board of Commissioners passes a resolution or ordinance that formally notifies state and federal governments that constitutional rights will be upheld—regardless of government overreach.
This initiative is built on three pillars:
County Commissioners’ Ordinance – Reasserting the constitutional authority of local government to resist unconstitutional actions.
Sheriff’s Enforcement – Empowering sheriffs to serve as the chief law enforcement officers who uphold and defend constitutional rights.
Election Integrity – Ensuring free and fair elections through the adoption of a Model Election Security Plan, making counties less vulnerable to fraud.
By reinforcing these three foundational elements, we create a stronghold for constitutional governance at the county level, safeguarding our freedoms against federal and state encroachment.
Next Steps: Organizing & Educating
To advance this movement, we are equipping citizens with the knowledge and tools needed to assess their county’s readiness for adopting a Constitutional County Ordinance. Our Constitutional County Teams host regular meetings, providing a forum for Q&A sessions, strategy discussions, and solutions tailored to specific county challenges.
We also recommend the following educational resources to better understand the process and strategy:
Kristina Heuser, Constitutional Attorney: A detailed breakdown of the ordinance, addressing misconceptions. Watch here.
Chris Hall, Collier County Commissioner: Insights on successfully passing the ordinance in Collier County. Watch here.
Jake Allen, Naples Daily News – An example of opposition and challenges faced during the first attempt to pass the ordinance. Read here.
Alex Newman, Liberty Sentinel – A discussion of the Collier County Ordinance as a blueprint for Constitutional County Ordinances. Read here.
Additional resources
Join the Movement
As we move forward, securing our counties as constitutional strongholds is more critical than ever. This initiative is not just about policy—it is about preserving the fundamental freedoms that define America. By working together at the county level, we can ensure that our rights remain protected against any unlawful encroachment, both now and for generations to come.
Join us in defending liberty, upholding the Constitution, and securing our future.