Jeremy Kauffman, a libertarian political activist and entrepreneur from New Hampshire, gained attention this week after sharing a video of a tense encounter with two individuals claiming to be FBI agents.
The agents reportedly visited Kauffman’s home on Monday in response to a post he had made on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
The situation quickly escalated into a standoff, as Kauffman, citing his constitutional rights, refused to comply with the agents’ demands without further clarification.
Kauffman, who is well-known for founding the blockchain-based file-sharing project LBRY and his involvement with the Free State Project, was approached by two men.
One of them identified himself as “Donald from the FBI in New Hampshire” and stated that they were there to discuss a social media post Kauffman had made.
When Kauffman requested their full identification, the agents declined to provide it, leading to a tense back-and-forth. Kauffman recorded the entire exchange, which he later posted online.
In the video, Kauffman questions the legitimacy of the individuals, noting that their refusal to fully identify themselves was suspicious. The agent, who introduced himself as Donald, repeatedly asked Kauffman to stop recording, but Kauffman refused, invoking his First Amendment rights.
As the agents continued to avoid fully identifying themselves, Kauffman gave them an ultimatum: either produce proper identification or leave.
He criticized the waste of resources on investigating his social media activity, which he argued was protected free speech. “You’re spending all this time and money investigating something you know isn’t illegal,” Kauffman said, expressing frustration.
The agents explained that their visit was precautionary, ensuring that Kauffman’s post didn’t pose any threats. However, Kauffman accused them of being part of a regime that suppresses free speech.
“Didn’t you read the Constitution?” he asked. “How do you do your jobs and go home?”
Visibly uncomfortable, the agents eventually left without further discussion. As they walked away, Kauffman called after them, saying, “You guys are f**kheads who try to act like bullies, and I hope you go home and are embarrassed.”
The FBI visited my house today for free speech acts they knew were not crimes.
You can see the shame on their faces.
This is the Democratic regime manifest. pic.twitter.com/RldC0JWMsx
— Jeremy Kauffman 🦔 (@jeremykauffman) September 16, 2024
This incident adds to a series of reported cases where federal agents have been accused of overstepping their authority when responding to citizens’ online activities.
According to reports from The Gateway Pundit, several Americans have experienced similar visits after making social media posts.
One such case involved a North Dakota resident who was visited by law enforcement after posting a section of the Declaration of Independence on Facebook in opposition to a local project.
In another instance reported earlier this year, a woman in Louisiana who had used social media to expose a man allegedly involved in her cousin’s death was visited by federal agents.
🚨This monster drugged my 27 yr old cousin at the L’Auberge Casino in Baton Rouge last February. He dumped her half naked dead body like trash.
Rap sheet a mile long. He walks today on PROBATION .Damion Matthews may you reap what you have sown. @govjefflandryy pic.twitter.com/pW7Bo9HsjQ— 𝐊𝐚𝐦 𝐒𝐭.𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧 (@KAM4Texas) February 20, 2024
🚩The FBI came to my house over a TWEET!
Not cool.
My pinned tweet that’s still up.
@elonmusk pic.twitter.com/5GauyJTXTt— 𝐊𝐚𝐦 𝐒𝐭.𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧 (@KAM4Texas) March 29, 2024
WATCH: FBI visit the home of an American Muslim Woman’s home to question her about her pro-Palestine social media posts after they were flagged by @meta’s @facebook!
What she did right:
1. Refuse to speak to them without a lawyer.
2. Refuse to let them in her house.
3. Record… pic.twitter.com/VLgAjV5fY8— Hassan Shibly (@HassanShibly) March 28, 2024
These incidents have raised concerns about whether law enforcement is being weaponized against ordinary Americans who express dissenting or controversial viewpoints online.
Critics argue that such actions amount to government overreach and intimidation tactics, designed to silence political speech.
You must be logged in to post a comment.