Looking back on the COVID lockdowns, what stands out to you most?

How differently places around the world responded. Some places didn’t lock down at all, while more advanced nations imposed extreme restrictions. Even here in the U.S., states responded differently; I felt incredibly fortunate to return to Arizona, where we had strong political leaders who kept things relatively open. I was still able to hike every day. My daily life wasn’t nearly as impacted as it was in places like Michigan.

I flew to Iraq that December to train candidates for elections and was surprised to see life there had returned to normal while lockdowns were still happening in blue states back home. I remember celebrating Christmas and thinking, “Did I really have to travel to Iraq to have a normal Christmas?” That made me realize just how deeply policy choices affect our everyday freedoms.

What effect did lockdowns have on the freedom movement?

Lockdowns mobilized a segment of the population who had never been engaged in politics. Parents found themselves fighting for their children’s education when schools closed, leaving kids struggling to read and learn. Small business owners, who had poured their lives into their work, were told to shut down without consideration for their livelihoods. Many were unfairly criticized for defending their right to stay open, as if caring about their businesses meant they didn’t care about people.

This wave of firsthand experience with government overreach activated a coalition of people who simply wanted to live their lives. This expanded the freedom movement in ways none of us could have predicted and continues to shape the fight for individual liberty today.

How did union activities during this time change people’s perceptions?

Lockdowns exposed a glaring disconnect between public sector unions and the people they claim to serve, with teachers unions offering one of the clearest examples. In the early days of vaccine distribution, when hope was high but the vaccine supply was limited, teachers were rushed to the front of the line. But many unions refused to allow teachers to return to the classroom, saying it was too dangerous. Meanwhile, countless others were eager to return to work.

This made it clear that union leaders, who control billions of dollars they’ve taken from workers, often prioritize power over the well-being of their own members and the American public.

Anything else you want us to know?

Freedom often feels like an abstract concept — until a crisis like the government’s response to COVID makes it painfully real. The lockdowns showed us these principles aren’t just lofty ideals; they have life-or-death consequences for millions of Americans. They were a powerful reminder that when government overreach happens, organizations defending liberty are the tip of the spear. The hope is that we’ve learned the right lessons from this experience and will remain vigilant in protecting freedom in our daily lives.