Former Libertarian National Committee Chair Nicholas Sarwark is calling on the Libertarian Party to use President Donald Trump’s recent tariff proposals as a chance to “reboot” the party and reassert itself as a leading voice for free markets and limited government.
In a recent opinion piece for MSNBC, Sarwark, who chaired the Libertarian National Committee from 2014 to 2020, compares Trump’s economic approach to that of former President Richard Nixon, noting that Nixon’s use of wage and price controls in the early 1970s helped spur the creation of the Libertarian Party. Sarwark argues that, like Nixon, Trump’s use of tariffs and economic interventions risks concentrating power and inviting corruption.
Sarwark critiques Trump’s previously proposed 10% blanket tariff on all imports and almost 60% tariff on Chinese goods, calling them a “massive tax hike on American consumers.” He warns that such policies could be used to grant political favors and lead to corruption, as businesses may seek exemptions through personal or political connections.
“Now would be a great time for the Libertarian Party, founded in opposition to Republican corruption, to oppose another president’s meddling with the markets, potentially for his own gain,” Sarwark writes in his article.
He also argues that the Libertarian Party has drifted from its foundational economic platform and become increasingly focused on right-wing cultural issues. Sarwark points to the rise of the Mises Caucus in 2017 and the 2022 removal of the party’s anti-bigotry and pro-choice planks at its national convention. He further criticizes former National Chair Angela McArdle for elevating figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Donald Trump during the 2024 campaign, claiming it came at the expense of supporting the party’s own presidential nominee, Chase Oliver.
Despite these challenges, Sarwark believes the current political atmosphere offers an opportunity for the Libertarian Party to refocus. He urges the party to recommit to opposing protectionism and appeal to disaffected Republican voters who continue to support free market principles and civil liberties. Sarwark also praises current LNC Chair Steven Nekhaila for publicly opposing Trump’s proposed tariffs and encourages libertarians to take action both electorally and through protesting alongside “like-minded individuals.”
Sarwark never support government mandates or lockdowns, Rick.
And he never advocated for Dick Cheney.
Where do you get this nonsense?
Dummy Dave Smith?
Sarwark supported the lockdowns and mandates, so did JBH and Bilyeu. That’s as anti libertarian as you can get. Advocating for Dick Cheney and Bill Weld is a very close second.
The fact Sarwark is running to far left MSNBC tells you all you need to know about his beliefs.
What would have been a great way for the LP to assert itself as a leading voice for limited government would have been for the LP to come out hard and strong against the Covid lockdowns and mandates of 2020 – 2022. Instead, the national party did next to nothing about this issue.