Expert Warns California Could Attempt Secession by 2035, Sparking New Civil War
Expert Warns California Could Attempt Secession by 2035, Sparking New Civil War

America is like a big family going through a rough patch. Brothers and sisters who once played nice are now throwing food at each other across the dinner table. Some family members even threaten to pack their bags and leave home for good when they don’t get their way.

The dinner table fights are getting worse. One side wants open borders and free stuff for everyone. The other side wants law and order and to keep their hard-earned money. Neither side is listening anymore. They just yell louder.

Now, a top expert is sounding the alarm that California might actually try to break away from America within the next ten years. Benjamin Cohen, a political economist from the University of California-Santa Barbara, warns that growing tensions between California and the federal government could lead the state to declare independence by 2035.

From ‘The Post Millennial’:

A professor at the University of California-Santa Barbara has issued a warning that California could attempt to secede from the United States within the next decade, potentially sparking a broader civil war across the country.

Political economist Benjamin Cohen warned that the risk of political polarization in America reaching a breaking point is “substantially greater than zero.”…

“Identity can be a very powerful motivator,” Cohen said. “That’s why I worry about the risk of civil war. When it comes to something as strong as a sense of community identity, rationalism falls by the wayside.”

Cohen even created a mock news scenario showing how this might play out: “After years of festering discontent with the direction of politics in Washington, California today formally declared its independence as a sovereign nation. President [JD] Vance has threatened a military takeover of state government in Sacramento, backed by National Guard troops from nearby red states. Armed conflict looks increasingly possible.”

This isn’t just one professor’s wild imagination. A recent YouGov poll found that 40 percent of Americans believe another civil war is “somewhat or very likely” within the next decade. That’s four out of every ten of your neighbors thinking we might start shooting at each other soon.

California Can’t Survive Alone

But here’s the reality check California dreamers need: The Golden State would collapse without America. Where would they get their water? The Colorado River water rights would vanish overnight. Arizona, Nevada, and other states would turn off the spigot faster than you can say “drought.” Who would defend their borders? The California National Guard alone wouldn’t stand a chance against foreign threats.

Cohen points out that identity politics drives this dangerous thinking: “Identity can be a very powerful motivator. That’s why I worry about the risk of civil war. When it comes to something as strong as a sense of community identity, rationalism falls by the wayside.”

Let’s not forget history’s lesson. We already fought one Civil War over secession. More than 600,000 Americans died. The Supreme Court has since ruled that states cannot legally leave the union without consent from all other states. California would be starting an illegal rebellion, plain and simple.

The Real Threat: Progressive Fantasies

These progressive daydreamers imagine a California utopia free from those pesky constitutional limits. They picture a progressive paradise where government controls everything from your car to your thermostat. What they don’t picture: empty water reservoirs, skyrocketing taxes, and hostile neighbors.

Tensions are already high. President Trump’s deployment of federal troops to handle immigration enforcement in California has sparked protests. Instead of working within our constitutional system, some California leaders act like they’re already their own country.

This kind of thinking is dangerous and shortsighted. America isn’t perfect, but it’s still the greatest nation on earth. Our Constitution has guided us through tougher times than these.

If California wants to fix problems, they should work within our system, not threaten to tear it apart. The United States is stronger together than divided. Those suggesting otherwise aren’t just wrong – they’re playing with fire that could burn us all. Our nation’s founders pledged their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor to build this country. The least we can do is keep it together.

Key Takeaways

  • Political economist Benjamin Cohen warns California might attempt secession within the next decade.
  • 40% of Americans believe a civil war is possible in the next 10 years.
  • California would face immediate water, defense, and economic crises if it attempted independence.
  • The Supreme Court has ruled states cannot legally secede without consent from all other states.

Sources: The Post Millennial, UNILAD

July 7, 2025
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Cole Harrison
Cole Harrison is a seasoned political commentator with a no-nonsense approach to the news. With years of experience covering Washington’s biggest scandals and the radical left’s latest schemes, he cuts through the spin to bring readers the hard-hitting truth. When he's not exposing the media's hypocrisy, you’ll find him enjoying a strong cup of coffee and a good debate.
Cole Harrison is a seasoned political commentator with a no-nonsense approach to the news. With years of experience covering Washington’s biggest scandals and the radical left’s latest schemes, he cuts through the spin to bring readers the hard-hitting truth. When he's not exposing the media's hypocrisy, you’ll find him enjoying a strong cup of coffee and a good debate.