Jo Jorgensen in Interviews during 2017-2019
On Civil Rights:
Some laws disproportionately victimize people of color
Q: Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?A: Yes, certain laws and policies disproportionately victimize people of color, such as the
War on Drugs, no-knock raids, qualified immunity, militarization of police, and civil asset forfeiture. They also violate our constitutional rights and must be repealed.
Source: AFA iVoterGuide on 2020 presidential hopefuls
Nov 3, 2020
On Crime:
Take the profit out of locking up citizens
Q: How would you address the overcrowding of jails?A: We must take the profit out of locking up citizens.
This is one of the few legitimate functions of government--the government should be running the jails and prisons, not private companies.
Source: AFA iVoterGuide on 2020 presidential hopefuls
Nov 3, 2020
On Drugs:
End laws against victimless crimes, including drug laws
Q: How would you address the overcrowding of jails?A: We must end all laws against victimless crimes, including drug prohibition, which causes far more problems than it solves, overcrowds our prisons, and clogs our criminal justice system.
If there is no victim, there is no crime. On Day 1 of my presidency, I will pardon and free all nonviolent drug offenders who have harmed no one.
Source: AFA iVoterGuide on 2020 presidential hopefuls
Nov 3, 2020
On Education:
Arm teachers to keep kids safe at school
Q: Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?A: Yes. There is no more immediate way to keep kids safe than by having an armed and trained adult on the scene.
This will save precious lives. The mere knowledge that a teacher may carry a gun will deter crime.
Source: AFA iVoterGuide on 2020 presidential hopefuls
Nov 3, 2020
On Homeland Security:
Bring our troops home from foreign bases
Q: What is the best way to maintain peace and protect national security?A: As president, I will make American like one giant Switzerland--armed and neutral. I will order our troops home from the Middle East and
Afghanistan, and will begin the process of bringing our troops home from other foreign bases. This will allow us to dramatically reduce government spending. America will be armed and ready to defend our soil and shores.
I will open trade with foreign countries and eliminate tariff taxes on consumers goods so that Americans pay the lowest prices. I will dramatically reduce government regulations so that
American businesses can be nimble and better financed, which will enable them to compete successfully in world markets. When goods cross borders, troops don't have to.
Source: AFA iVoterGuide on 2020 presidential hopefuls
Nov 3, 2020
On Jobs:
Opposes minimum wage; it hurts minorities and youth
Q: What is your position on the minimum wage?A: I oppose it. Government must not interfere with voluntary contracts between employers and employees.
The research is clear--the minimum wage hurts minorities and those entering the job force the most.
Source: AFA iVoterGuide on 2020 presidential hopefuls
Nov 3, 2020
On Principles & Values:
Government should not interfere in matters of religion
Q: What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?A: It means what it says. The government should not interfere in matters of religion.
Q: Do you agree that religious liberty is at risk in the US and deserves the highest level of protection in the law?
A: Agree.
Source: AFA iVoterGuide on 2020 presidential hopefuls
Nov 3, 2020
On Social Security:
Allow opt out: IRAs safe from greedy politicians
Q: How would you guarantee Social Security benefits for future generations?A: Politicians have spent every cent in the Social Security Trust Fund on other programs, leaving behind worthless IOUs.
Other countries have successfully replaced their government-run systems with individual retirement accounts safe from greedy politicians.
As President, I would work to implement a solution like the Cato Institute's "6.2% solution", which would allow any
American the opportunity to "opt out" of the system while making the current system fiscally stable for those who choose to remain.
Source: AFA iVoterGuide on 2020 presidential hopefuls
Nov 3, 2020
On Civil Rights:
Add gender identity to anti-discrimination laws
Q: Support LGBTQ rights, including protection from discrimination?Jo Jorgensen: Yes. "Gender identity" should be added to anti-discrimination laws.
Howie Hawkins: Yes. "What is needed now are federal and state laws that provide protection from discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodation under the Equality Act and equivalent state and federal laws."
Source: CampusElect on 2020 presidential hopefuls
Aug 30, 2020
On Corporations:
Government over-regulates private businesses
Q: Tighten or loosen regulation of banks and credit card companies?Jo Jorgensen: Loosen. "The government is currently over-regulating private businesses." "Will work to eliminate policies that cripple economic growth."
Howie Hawkins: Tighten. Wants to "socialize the big banks," with public banking at municipal, state, and federal levels and a new Glass-Steagall Act to better regulate banking.
Source: CampusElect on 2020 presidential hopefuls
Aug 30, 2020
On Crime:
End no-knock raids, qualified immunity, militarized police
Q: Restrict police use of force and increase public oversight? Jo Jorgensen: Should not deploy federal agents into cities, uninvited, to try to fix a problem created by government. End no-knock raids, civil asset forfeiture, qualified immunity,
militarized police.
Howie Hawkins: Yes to increased public oversight. Yes to comprehensive data collection. Militarized police should not be used as campaign "props" or as "occupying military force."
Source: CampusElect on 2020 presidential hopefuls
Aug 30, 2020
On Drugs:
Legalize marijuana; end war on drugs
Q: Decriminalize marijuana or keep illegal?Jo Jorgensen: Legalize marijuana. Decriminalize all drug use. Pardon all victimless federal drug-law prisoners. End "war on drugs."
Howie Hawkins: Legalize. Supports "federal legislation to legalize, tax,
and regulate marijuana."
Joe Biden: Decriminalize use. Don't interfere with states. But doesn't support full federal legalization.
Donald Trump: Keep illegal. Proposed removing medical marijuana protections.
Source: CampusElect on 2020 presidential hopefuls
Aug 30, 2020
On Education:
Opposes federally funded free college tuition
Q: Support free (or highly subsidized) public college tuition or loan forgiveness for low-income students?Jo Jorgensen: No. Opposes federally funded free tuition or increasing taxes on the rich to reduce cost of student loans.
Howie Hawkins: Yes. Supports lifelong free public education, pre-K through college, and student loan fund for debt forgiveness.
Source: CampusElect on 2020 presidential hopefuls
Aug 30, 2020
On Energy & Oil:
No subsidies for energy, withdraw Paris Climate Accords
Q: Limit greenhouse gases or fund renewable energy?Jo Jorgensen: No "Remove subsidies on all forms of energy production." Favors nuclear energy development and expanded offshore drilling. Withdraw from Paris Climate Accords.
Howie Hawkins: Yes.
Supports a Green New Deal to achieve zero-to-negative greenhouse gas emissions and 100% clean energy by 2030.
Donald Trump: Climate scientists have "political agenda" risking "millions of jobs." Cut renewables funding. Withdraw US from Paris Agreement.
Source: CampusElect on 2020 presidential hopefuls
Aug 30, 2020
On Government Reform:
No photo ID for voting unless easy to get
Q: Strict ID and other rules to combat possible fraud, even if limit access?Jo Jorgensen: No. Photo ID should be required only if it is easy to get an ID to vote.
Joe Biden: No. Restore Voting Rights Act. Support automatic and same-day
voter registration.
Donald Trump: Yes. Seeks stronger voter ID requirements. Voter ID opponents "intend to cheat."
Howie Hawkins: No. Restore Voting Rights Act. Supports automatic voter registration, same-day registration, and extended voting days.
Source: CampusElect on 2020 presidential hopefuls
Aug 30, 2020
On Immigration:
Citizenship for undocumented children only if born in US
Q: Path to citizenship for 11 million undocumented residents, including DACA participants brought to U.S. as children? Jo Jorgensen: Mixed. Supports "free movement & free markets." Opposes border wall and separating children from parents.
Children of undocumented immigrants should get U.S. citizenship only if born in U.S.
Howie Hawkins: Yes. "The federal government should end its defense in court of Trump's executive order attempting to end the DACA program." Supports open borders.
Source: CampusElect on 2020 presidential hopefuls
Aug 30, 2020
On Jobs:
Eliminate all wage standards
Q: Raise federal hourly minimum wage above current $7.25/hour?Jo Jorgensen: No. No raise to federal minimum wage; eliminate all wage standards.
Howie Hawkins: Yes. Supports $20 hourly minimum wage. "All citizens shall have the rights to a minimum income sufficient to meet basic needs."
Source: CampusElect on 2020 presidential hopefuls
Aug 30, 2020
On Tax Reform:
Lower or eliminate businesses taxes; end Federal income tax
Q: Raise or lower taxes on the wealthy and corporations?Jo Jorgensen: Lower. Don't raise taxes on the rich; lower or eliminate all business taxes for maximum job creation. End federal income tax.
Howie Hawkins: Raise. Favors progressive tax reform, including financial transactions tax, wealth tax, estate tax, and land value tax.
Source: CampusElect on 2020 presidential hopefuls
Aug 30, 2020
On War & Peace:
Opposed withdrawal from Iran nuclear deal
Q: Support Trump withdrawal from Iran nuclear treaty? Require congressional approval for military to attack Iran?Jo Jorgensen: No on treaty withdrawal. "An agreement that helps create harmony is better than continued hostility."
The U.S. should not attack Iran.
Howie Hawkins: No on treaty withdrawal. U.S. should rejoin nuclear treaty. Yes on congressional approval.
Source: CampusElect on 2020 presidential hopefuls
Aug 30, 2020
On War & Peace:
No military aid to Saudi Arabia for war in Yemen
Q: Block arms sales to Saudi Arabia over Yemen war and allegations about journalist Jamal Khashoggi's death?Jo Jorgensen: Yes. The U.S. should not provide military aid to Saudi Arabia during its conflict with Yemen.
Howie Hawkins: Yes. The U.S. must "stop its war on Iran and get its military out of the whole Middle East," including "Iraq, Syria, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean."
Source: CampusElect on 2020 presidential hopefuls
Aug 30, 2020
On Gun Control:
Against new gun restrictions & lawsuits by gun victims
The candidate opposes additional restrictions for purchasing a gun.
She also opposes allowing victims of gun violence to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Source: KSL News Radio on 2020 presidential hopefuls
Jul 5, 2020
On Immigration:
Against border wall but deport immigrants who commit crimes
Jorgensen's position on immigration says the U.S. should not build a wall along the southern border or separate
children from parents who illegally entered the country. However, she also supports deporting illegal immigrants who commit serious crimes.
Source: KSL News Radio on 2020 presidential hopefuls
Jul 5, 2020
On Principles & Values:
Coronavirus lockdown felt like "house arrest"
She has been outspoken about the U.S. response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In an interview with NPR, the candidate explained "The Libertarian administration first wouldn't have put everybody under house arrest. We believe in individual freedom
and that people should be able to go about their lives as they choose." While the NPR host argued several governors and mayors wouldn't consider their stay-at-home orders a "house arrest," Jorgensen said it "felt like it" to the people staying at home.
Source: KSL News Radio on 2020 presidential hopefuls
Jul 5, 2020
On Environment:
Companies able to pollute because government caps liability
When asked about environmental regulation, Jorgensen said that her position was that pollution is actually a form of trespassing,
and, in fact, companies are only able to pollute because government regulations put a cap on the liability that they are held accountable for.
Source: Tulsa Today on 2020 presidential hopefuls
Jun 27, 2020
On Energy & Oil:
Nuclear more efficient then wind and solar power
Jorgensen said that the new tech surrounding nuclear is what environmentalists should be pushing over green energy options, like wind and solar. "If they were efficient, then people would have invested their own money in it to make a killing,"
Jorgensen said. "If there were profits to be made, you know that the greedy capitalist would have done it, right? And I say that facetiously. That's the good part of the free-market system, is that the dollars go to the good market choices."
Source: WIZM 92.3 FM/1410 AM Radio on 2020 presidential hopefuls
Jun 13, 2020
On Tax Reform:
Against a wealth tax; income inequality comes from choices
Jorgensen also touched on income inequality, which she said there's not a problem at the top. "Whenever we have progress," she said, "whenever we have technology -- and people working to better their lives -- we have a wealth gap,
because there are opportunities that some people make that others, either choose not to or whatever." Jorgensen was very much against anything having to do with a wealth tax, as that word, "tax," is not anything Libertarians stand for.
Source: WIZM 92.3 FM/1410 AM Radio on 2020 presidential hopefuls
Jun 13, 2020
On War & Peace:
Bombings in Middle East aren't a boost to Western security
She's the only one of the lot to take the issue of vicious, bombing of Middle Eastern children seriously,
and the only to recognize that it isn't a boost to Western security to be committing cold-blooded acts of murder in the Middle East.
Source: BeingLibertarian.com blog on 2020 presidential hopefuls
May 27, 2020
On Abortion:
Individuals own their bodies; can't violate those rights
Individuals own their bodies and have rights over them that other individuals, groups, and governments may not violate.
Individuals have the freedom and responsibility to decide what they knowingly and voluntarily consume, and what risks they accept to their own health, finances, safety, or life.
Source: Libertarian Platform adopted by 2020 presidential hopeful
May 22, 2020
On Budget & Economy:
Voluntary funding & Balanced Budget Amendment
We oppose any legal requirements forcing employers to serve as tax collectors. We support any initiative to reduce or abolish any tax & oppose any increase on any tax for any reason. To the extent possible, we advocate that all public services be funded
in a voluntary manner. Government should not incur debt, which burdens future generations without their consent. We support the passage of a "Balanced Budget Amendment" to the U.S. Constitution, provided that the budget is balanced exclusively by
cutting expenditures, and not by raising taxes.
A free and competitive market allocates resources in the most efficient manner. Each person has the right to offer goods and services to others on the free market. The only proper role of government in
the economic realm is to protect property rights, adjudicate disputes, and provide a legal framework in which voluntary trade is protected. All efforts by government to redistribute wealth, or to control or manage trade, are improper in a free society.
Source: Libertarian Platform adopted by 2020 presidential hopeful
May 22, 2020
On Civil Rights:
Oppose government aid to or attack of any religion
We support full freedom of expression and oppose government censorship, regulation, or control of communications media and technology.
We favor the freedom to engage in or abstain from any religious activities that do not violate the rights of others. We oppose government actions which either aid or attack any religion.
Source: Libertarian Platform adopted by 2020 presidential hopeful
May 22, 2020
On Civil Rights:
State licensing any marriage is illegitimate practice
Government does not have the authority to define, promote, license, or restrict personal relationships, regardless of the number of participants. Consenting adults should be free to choose their own sexual practices and personal relationships.
Until such time as the government stops its illegitimate practice of marriage licensing, such licenses must be granted to all consenting adults who apply.
Source: Libertarian Platform adopted by 2020 presidential hopeful
May 22, 2020
On Crime:
Repeal all victimless crime laws: gambling, drugs, sex
We favor the repeal of all laws creating "crimes" without victims, such as gambling, the use of drugs for medicinal or recreational purposes, and consensual transactions involving sexual services.
We oppose the prosecutorial practice of "over-charging" in criminal prosecutions so as to avoid jury trials by intimidating defendants into accepting plea bargains.
The Libertarian Party supports the decriminalization of prostitution.
We assert the right of consenting adults to provide sexual services to clients for compensation, and the right of clients to purchase sexual services from consenting sex workers.
Source: Libertarian Platform adopted by 2020 presidential hopeful
May 22, 2020
On Immigration:
No unreasonable constraints in crossing political boundaries
Political freedom and escape from tyranny demand that individuals not be unreasonably constrained by government in the crossing of political boundaries.
Economic freedom demands the unrestricted movement of human as well as financial capital across national borders.
Source: Libertarian Platform adopted by 2020 presidential hopeful
May 22, 2020
On Jobs:
No required unions; no occupational licensing laws
We favor repealing any requirement that one must join or pay dues to a union as a condition of government employment.
We advocate replacing defined-benefit pensions with defined- contribution plans, as are commonly offered in the private sector, so as not to impose debt on future generations without their consent.
Libertarians support the right of every person to earn an honest and peaceful living through the free and voluntary exchange of goods and services.
Accordingly, we oppose occupational and other licensing laws that infringe on this right or treat it as a state-granted privilege. We encourage certifications by voluntary associations of professionals.
Source: Libertarian Platform adopted by 2020 presidential hopeful
May 22, 2020
On Principles & Values:
Challenge cult of omnipotent state, defend individual rights
We challenge the cult of the omnipotent state and defend the rights of the individual. We hold that all individuals have the right to exercise sole dominion
over their own lives, and have the right to live in whatever manner they choose, so long as they do not forcibly interfere with the equal right of others to live in whatever manner they choose.
Source: Libertarian Platform adopted by 2020 presidential hopeful
May 22, 2020
Page last updated: Nov 01, 2021