Putin refuel independence plans in California, Texas: Republicans

Ron Nehring, a Republican political advisor, criticized “Russian” initiatives for California and Texas supported by the government in order to cede from the United States and become independent countries.

Newsweek Contacted Nehring using a form on its website and Calexit and the Texas nationalist movements, the most important secessionist movements in their states -via -e -e -eM.

Why is it important

The advance for states such as California and Texas to travel from the United States has gained traction in recent years and, in some cases, fueled by the efforts supported by Russia to destabilize American politics.

As states with the greatest gross domestic products, their split would lead to significant disorders. While a state is both unlikely and unconstitutional, the growing debate could stimulate national divisions.

What to know?

On Thursday, the California Foreign Minister Shirley Weber approved a campaign to collect signatures

In a Sunday Open for Flash Report, a blog that covers the political news in California, Nehring said that the Kremlin had probably fired the last advance to add a secession referendum to the golden state ballot in 2028.

Nehring, who worked as chairman of the California Republican Party from 2007 to 2011 and was a spokesman for the 2016 presidential campaign by Texas Senator Ted Cruz 2016, said the idea that California was against the transfer of California was once again appealed.

“Yes, the most decept to the most deceptive and Kremlin-maintained pipe dream of our time has returned despite its repeated failures and his universal ridiculousness,” he wrote, adding, “while his supporters point out that the movement is native, the idea was happy Increased by the government supported by the government and trolls that want to destabilize our country.

The Republican continued: “Putin and his propaganda machine do not strive for an actual separation from the United States (they know that this is a imagination). Instead of spreading.”

A similar secessionist effort consists in Texas, which is referred to as “Texit” and led by the Texas nationalist movement.

According to researchers from the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, a thought factory in Washington, DC, these secessionist movements of Russian reports on social media have received support. Dmitry Medwedev, the former President and Prime Minister of Russia, also pretended to support the movement.

Specessionist leaders have previously rejected the idea that the Russian propaganda has supported its movements or that they are connected to the Russian government.

What people say

In an answer to an answer via e -mail NewsweekNehring said: “While Calexit’s current” leader “can reject the connections to Russia, the idea itself was promoted, strengthened and encouraged by the government that wanted to use it as a destabilization tool. This was documented in detail for over eight years of eight years Media, secret services and cyber security companies such as graphics.

“Rejections do not delete the extensive evidence of the participation of Russian participation in promoting this problem for their own anti -American strategic benefit.”

Marcus Evans, who runs the campaign for an independence vote in California, told CBS News: “We believe that the best time for Calexit is now – now we are better located to reach Calexit than in 2016.”

Daniel Miller, who heads the Texas nationalist movement, told Newsweek: “Ron Nehring’s claim that Texit is ‘Kremlin cheed’ is both ridiculous and revealing.

“Texit is about making Texans back their right to self -government, a right Nehring does not seem to understand. Instead of addressing the legitimate concerns behind the movement, he throws tired conspiracy theories and hopes to remain relevant in a conversation that from his Return looks depth. “

What happens next

If the petition in California receives the necessary 546,651 signatures by July 22, 2025, this question will be asked in November 2028: “Should California leave the United States and become a free and independent country?”

It would also require California to create a commission in order to examine the vitality of the state as an independent country.

Even if the ballot measure has passed, this would not trigger legal changes to the California status and simply regarded as “votion without trust in the United States”.

The US constitution does not allow a state secession, a question that was enclosed by a judgment of the Supreme Court in 1869 after the civil war.

Update 28.03.25, 12:12 p.m. ET: This article has updated Daniel Miller with a comment.

Correction 28.02.25, 7:11 ET: This article has been updated to remove the reference to YES California, which no longer supports the secession.