This past Tuesday, Joe Biden was back at a podium pleading with a portion of the country that is largely ignoring him as he announced a door-to-door initiative by federal agents to try and increase the number of COVID-19 vaccinations. “Now we need to go community by community, neighborhood by neighborhood and often times door-to-door – literally knocking on doors – to get help to the remaining people protected from the virus,” Biden said.
Facing immediate backlash, the White House doubled down with their plans. “What we’re trying to do here at the federal government is protect the American people and save lives,” Press Secretary Jen Psaki told CNN’s “New Day” on Wednesday, reprising the nine most frightening words in the English language according to former President Ronald Reagan – “I’m with the government and I’m here to help.”
The announcement elicited some notable responses from elected officials:
“Door to door to vaccinate Americans this year… door to door to confiscate guns next year?” Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., tweeted.
“How about don’t knock on my door,” Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas, tweeted. “You’re not my parents. You’re the government. Make the vaccine available, and let people be free to choose.”
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson let Biden know the vaccine police are not welcome in Missouri. “I have directed our health department to let the federal government know that sending government employees or agents door-to-door to compel vaccination would NOT be an effective OR a welcome strategy in Missouri!”
Arizona Attorney General and US Senate candidate Mark Brnovich also expressed disapproval. “I, along with many Arizonans, was greatly alarmed by your White House indicating that it might be in possession of medical records revealing the contact information for Americans who have not been vaccinated,” the Republican said in the letter to Biden, obtained by Fox News. “If this is the case, this is a severe breach of privacy, and I will not tolerate such intrusions within Arizona.”
The administration claims they will not use Americans’ medical records but rather the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) data to focus on areas with low vaccination rates and large “movable” populations. Even if they are not using current individual medical data, this strategy builds the structure for gathering that data.
John Whitehead, founder and president of the Charlottesville, Virginia-based Rutherford Institute, has been litigating civil rights cases against the government for more than 45 years. The Rutherford Institute is a non-profit organization dedicated to the defense of civil liberties and human rights with the motto “It’s our job to make the government play by the rules of the Constitution.” Whitehead said the first thing to remember is that these agents are coming to your home with one purpose in mind. “They’re there for one reason, to collect information on you,” he said. “That can’t be good for you. They could get that information by asking you directly, or by questioning your neighbors.”
“Data collection is out of control. Google, Amazon, Facebook are all collecting personal information on their users and they are working with the governments of the world in this,” Whitehead said. “So we have to be really careful here, because the government doesn’t have a good record on how they use the data they collect.”
Whether you are vaccinated or unvaccinated, keep in mind that there are many instances in history where a government registry resulted in some very dire consequences. In the United States of America, you have a choice on whether or not to share your personal information.
What to do when the government comes knocking?
Whitehead gave the following advice if federal agents show up on your doorstep: “I think the problem in America is people, most people, have no idea what their rights are,” he added. “Under the First Amendment you don’t have to speak to government officials, you have a right against unreasonable searches and seizures under the Fourth Amendment and the right to remain silent under the Fifth Amendment.”
Whitehead advises people to place “No Trespassing” signs at all entry points to their property. “You simply ask them to leave,” said Whitehead. “You are under no obligation to answer any of their questions. At the point you ask them to leave your property they are trespassing. I am telling people to put up no trespassing signs because that makes it easier but even if you don’t have a sign, they are trespassing once you tell them to leave.”
Many people, when confronted by a government agent, feel intimidated. “It’s a form of intimidation,” Whitehead said. “Most people are fearful and so they will say ‘okay what do you need to know?’ I wouldn’t answer any questions you are uncomfortable in answering about your vaccine history or anything else. The more information you give them the more it can be used against you.”
Know Your Rights
Knowing your rights is also the overriding message from Paul and Marilyn Hueper who were held at gunpoint and handcuffed for four hours on April 28, 2021, while the FBI and other law enforcement agencies searched their home, looking for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s laptop computer, as well as any evidence, such as clothing, that would show Marilyn Hueper was inside the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.
It was a case of mistaken identity. The photo used as evidence was not Marilyn Hueper. Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio grilled FBI Director Christopher Wray about why, during the raid of the Hueper’s home the agency took the couple’s pocket copy of the U.S. Constitution as evidence. Wray was unable to answer the question.
From the Hueper’s website: “As we step out, it’s our hope that many more will follow. Each American needs to begin holding our Civil Servants accountable to their Oaths to uphold and protect Our Rights. We The People are the only lawful oversight who can properly do so. But we have been off the job for too long, and as exemplified here, things have reached dire straights. We have to wake up and take appropriate lawful action as allowed by Our Constitution. If not us, who? If not now, when? We may not have much time left to act before Our Rights are confiscated from all of us… permanently!”
Hueper’s advice when confronted with an unknown situation involving government officials: A warrant is required to enter your home and initiate a search and/or interrogation. You have a right to see this warrant and be allowed enough time to actually read the details. You also have the right to seek legal counsel before answering any questions or allowing a search to begin. You are not required to answer any questions.
The prevailing opinion used to be . . . “be cooperative if you have nothing to hide.” But in today’s environment of pursuing political opponents and the unequal application of justice based on the “cause”, there is need for discernment and wisdom. As part of its unprecedented investigation of the January 6 disturbance at the U.S. Capitol, Joe Biden’s Department of Justice (DOJ) has arrested and is holding more than 500 individuals in a dedicated jail under “harsh almost solitary confinement conditions” while denying them bail and the constitutional right of a speedy trial. Not one person has been charged with carrying or using a firearm inside the Capitol building that day.
As it continues to hold the Jan. 6 detainees, the Department of Justice has been actively dropping charges against Portland Antifa and BLM rioters who have participated in a year of anarchy and unchecked violence, pelting police with Molotov cocktails and destroying local businesses. Dozens of deaths, hundreds of injured cops and billions in insurance damages across the country are finally being brought to justice. But it should not have taken a year.
Disciple Nations
Marilyn Hueper made an insightful comment during an interview with Sean Feucht: “Jesus instructed us to disciple nations. But instead we’ve been going to church and living our lives.” The church has been given responsibility for sharing the gospel, discipling nations (which includes engaging with culture) yet we have left a vacuum in leadership that has been filled by others.
Rise up, church. It is time for us to take up the authority (and responsibility) that has been given to us to share the gospel of Jesus Christ and set people free. It is vital that we protect our freedoms granted through our Constitution so that we have a platform from which to share! Religion is always the enemy of tyrannical governments because it is the competition for allegiance to the state.
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20
Action Steps
Know your rights included in the Bill of Rights that was ratified by the states on December 15, 1791.
Be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Matthew 10:16
Be alert and of sober mind. 1 Peter 5:8
Be strong and courageous.
“As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.” Joshua 1:5-8
