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By James Bickerton
News Reporter
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Tuesday evening saw the launch of the first county branch of the Texas Nationalist Movement (TNM), which the secessionist campaign group described as a "major milestone" as it advocates for Texan independence.
The Angelina County branch launch took place at a pizza restaurant in the city of Lufkin, with the TNM claiming it is now organizing in 60 of Texas's 254 counties.
Why It Matters
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Texan nationalists have scored a number of major wins over the past year, which saw the Republican Party of Texas calling for a referendum on whether the state should "reassert its status as an independent nation" in its 2024 policy platform.
However, nationalist campaigners will face a challenge to maintain this momentum following the election of Donald Trump in November 2024, with the Republicans also securing a majority in both chambers of Congress. Following his inauguration, Trump declared a national emergency at the southern border over illegal immigration, one of the main sources of tension between Texan authorities and the Biden administration.
What To Know
The Angelina County TNM group launch took place on Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. CST at Napoli's Pizza & Restaurante in Lufkin.
A TNM advertisement for the event said: "This meeting is designed to bring together local supporters, establish the county group's structure, and clarify actionable objectives. It's an opportunity for everyone—from seasoned advocates to newcomers—to connect and contribute to the cause."
The launch was addressed by Miller who said: "Tonight marks a moment of great significance—not just for the Texas Nationalist Movement, but for every Texan who believes in the enduring principles of self-determination, self-governance, and the undeniable truth that Texas is meant to stand as a free and independent nation."
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Speaking to Newsweek about the meeting on Wednesday, TNM leader Daniel Miller said: "Last night was the first official meeting of TNM—Angelina County. We started about one year ago on a massive reorganization plan to ramp up our ground game in preparation for a TEXIT referendum.
"The launch meeting was us publicly certifying the county leadership team and kicking off the local efforts to engage Texas voters.
"Angelina County was the first of 64 counties out of 254 that are in the process of launching covering approximately 78 percent of Texas voters."
The TNM released a list of seven people it said had accepted named roles within its Angelina County branch including Mike Jackson, the county coordinator.
According to a map produced by the TNM, Angelina County has its only active branch, but roughly another 50 counties are in the "pre-launch" stage whilst "engagement" is taking place in a further 12.
What People Are Saying
In a post advertising the event, the Texas Nationalist Movement said: "This meeting is a foundational step for local supporters and volunteers dedicated to the cause of Texas independence. It is a great opportunity to be directly involved in structuring our county group, defining roles, and clarifying our objectives to make them actionable."
Speaking at Tuesday's launch, Daniel Miller said: "The Texas Nationalist Movement is not just an idea—it is a force. It is a declaration that Texans have the right to determine their own future, govern themselves, and build a nation that reflects the values and culture of its people.
"This movement is a direct response to the undeniable truth that Texans are tired of being dictated to by a system that does not serve them, does not prioritize them, and does not understand the independent spirit that has defined Texas for generations."
During an earlier interview with Newsweek, Joshua Blank, an expert in state politics at the University of Texas at Austin, said: "I think history has made clear that there is no plausible scenario in which Texas could peacefully extract itself from the United States, even were that the will of its populous—which there is no indication of to my knowledge."
What Happens Next
The TNM is hoping to get a bill introduced to the state legislature calling for a referendum on Texan independence, though it is unclear how much support this would receive.
Bills calling for an independence referendum were introduced to the Texas Legislature in both 2021 and 2023 by Republican members, though neither was passed into law.
Separately activists in California are collecting signatures calling for a referendum on the Golden State becoming an independent nation to be included in its 2028 electoral ballot.
Update 2/6/25 2:05 a.m. ET: This story has been updated with comment from Texas Nationalist Movement leader Daniel Miller.
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