By: Joel Stephen Mattson
How a Redefined Legal Status Stripped Americans of Their Sovereignty
1. The Citizenship Most Americans Never Consented To
When the 14th Amendment was declared ratified in 1868, it introduced a new form of citizenship—“citizen of the United States”—that did not exist in the original Constitution. This change was far more than symbolic. It legally reclassified every man, woman, and child into a new jurisdictional status: a subject of federal corporate law.
What most people don’t realize is that they never consented to this change. It was presumed. And that presumption forms the foundation for nearly every statutory enforcement today—from taxes and licenses to criminal jurisdiction and civil penalties.
2. Original Citizenship: Before the 14th Amendment
Before 1868, the Constitution recognized only one form of citizenship:
“The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States.” — Article IV, Section 2, Clause 1
This affirmed a state-based system of citizenship. Each individual was a citizen of their state first, and only secondarily recognized federally through that state affiliation. The federal government had no direct jurisdiction over individuals who were not in territories, D.C., or involved in federal matters.
3. The 14th Amendment’s Trojan Horse
“All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States…”
This sentence changed everything. It created a national citizenship distinct from state citizenship. Here’s what it did:
- Subordinated all Americans directly under federal jurisdiction;
- Created a contractual identity that could be regulated, taxed, and policed;
- Shifted sovereignty away from the states and into Washington, D.C.
What it did not do was abolish state citizenship—but it cleverly redefined which citizenship the courts would presume.
4. The Dual Citizenship Doctrine Admitted by the Courts
The U.S. Supreme Court has acknowledged that two distinct forms of citizenship exist:
“There is a citizenship of the United States, and a citizenship of a State, which are distinct from each other.” — United States v. Cruikshank, 92 U.S. 542 (1875)
“The rights of citizens of the State, as such, are not under consideration… It is only the privileges and immunities of citizens of the United States that are protected by the Fourteenth Amendment.” — Maxwell v. Dow, 176 U.S. 581 (1900)
So the courts admit it: you can still be a state citizen. But unless you affirmatively rebut the 14th Amendment presumption, you will be treated as a U.S. citizen by default.
5. Why the Distinction Matters
A U.S. citizen is:
- A legal fiction and corporate subject;
- Bound by federal statutes and codes;
- Registered under the 14th Amendment for federal benefits and obligations.
A State citizen is:
- A living man or woman born on the land of a state;
- Protected by the original Constitution and Bill of Rights;
- Not subject to statutes unless they contract in by consent or benefit.
This is why the government, courts, and legal system never ask you what kind of citizen you are. They presume you’re the one they can control.
6. The Legal Presumption Game
Statutory enforcement relies on contract law and legal presumption. Here’s how they trap you:
- You file taxes → you consent to be treated as a U.S. citizen;
- You register to vote in federal elections → same presumption;
- You use a Social Security number → you’re in their system;
- You don’t rebut the presumption in writing → they win by silence.
“A claim unchallenged becomes law of the case.” — United States v. Prudden, 424 F.2d 1021 (5th Cir. 1970)
7. How to Rebut the Presumption
There is a lawful process to reclaim state citizenship. It requires evidence, public record, and proper notice:
- Affidavit of Political Status – Declare your identity as a state national, not a federal citizen;
- Notice of Revocation of Election – Remove all implied contracts (SSA, IRS, voter registration);
- Record Your Status with your county clerk and Secretary of State;
- Serve Notice to the IRS, DOJ, and State Department;
- Preserve All Correspondence with certified mail and affidavits of service.
8. The Benefits of State Citizenship
Once rebutted, your rights are reestablished under the organic Constitution:
- No federal tax liability without contract;
- Protection under common law and due process;
- Courts must prove jurisdiction, not presume it;
- Restoration of inalienable rights, not revocable privileges.
“Citizenship is a political status and may be defined and regulated by the Constitution and laws of the state.” — State v. Fowler, 41 La. Ann. 380 (1889)
9. The Danger of Silence
If you do nothing, the system will:
- Treat you as a 14th Amendment corporate subject;
- Apply every statute, code, and penalty to you presumptively;
- Deny your constitutional rights and replace them with privileges.
Silence is consent. Ignorance is jurisdiction. The entire system runs on your unspoken compliance.
10. This Isn’t Theory. It’s Law.
The courts, the Constitution, and historical records all support the dual system of citizenship. The only question is: Which one are you claiming?
“The government proceeds against you not by force, but by offer of contract. If you accept, they win. If you challenge, they must prove authority.”
Conclusion: Claim the Status That Sets You Free
The 14th Amendment didn’t enslave anyone by force. It offered a trap through legal fiction and presumption. Most walked in unknowingly. But you can walk out—lawfully, peacefully, and powerfully—by correcting your record.
You are not required to live as a subject to a corporate government. You were born free. You just have to prove it.
Next Article in the Series: Why the IRS Can’t Touch You Without a Contract Back to Consent Trap Series Overview: Consent Trap Landing Page