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Health Ranger Report: How the Corporate Transparency Act threatens small businesses and American liberties

By kevinhughes // 2025-07-08

• The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) forces small businesses and nonprofits to disclose extensive personal information (e.g., home addresses, birth dates) to FinCEN, violating Fourth and Fifth Amendment rights. It also targets volunteer-run groups (e.g., youth clubs) while exempting large corporations, despite their higher risk of financial crimes.
• CTA enables federal surveillance of entities traditionally regulated at the state level. It also risks misuse of data (e.g., IRS targeting conservatives) and exposure to cyberattacks (e.g., FinCEN hacks).
• Courts, including the Fifth Circuit, have ruled the CTA unconstitutional; injunctions block enforcement. Texas AG Ken Paxton and a federal judge issued key rulings protecting individuals from compliance.
• The government's emergency appeal to the Supreme Court (on New Year's Eve) was met with skepticism. Justice Alito allowed opposition briefs; 22 states filed against CTA, signaling broad resistance.
• Penalties (e.g., prison, loss of gun rights) deter volunteerism, a core American tradition. Calls to action: Oppose CTA via grassroots pressure and hope for future repeal under new leadership.

The Health Ranger Mike Adams engaged in a profound discussion with Andy Schlafly, the general Counsel of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS), about the alarming implications of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) and the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) – its enforcement arm. The conversation shed light on a critical issue that threatens the privacy and constitutional rights of millions of Americans, particularly small business owners and volunteers. The CTA, quietly tucked into a massive end-of-year spending bill, mandates that small businesses, nonprofits and various small entities report extensive personal information to the federal government. This includes driver's license numbers, birth dates and home addresses of individuals involved in these organizations. The law, which affects an estimated 32.6 million American businesses, is a stark departure from traditional state-level regulations that these entities have long complied with. Schlafly emphasized the absurdity of this requirement, highlighting that it targets small, often volunteer-run organizations like local soccer clubs, youth activities and civic groups. These entities, which operate under state laws and pose no threat to national security, are now forced to submit to federal surveillance. This shift not only violates the spirit of state autonomy, Schlafly said, but it also infringes upon the Fourth and Fifth Amendments, which protect against unreasonable searches and seizures and ensure due process. (Related: Deep State Power Grab? Corporate Transparency Act threatens nonprofits and small businesses – Andy Schlafly discusses potential impacts with Mike Adams.) The CTA's implementation raises significant concerns about government overreach and the potential for abuse. Adams pointed out that the federal government has a history of weaponizing such information, as evidenced by the Internal Revenue Service's targeting of conservative nonprofits during the Obama and Biden administrations. Furthermore, the risk of data breaches, as seen in recent hacks of the Department of Treasury, where FinCEN resides, underscores the vulnerability of this sensitive information to foreign cyber attackers. Schlafly highlighted the hypocrisy of the CTA. He noted that it exempts large corporations, banks and hedge funds, which are more likely to be involved in financial crimes like money laundering. The conservative constitutional attorney remarked: "The big businesses are exempt. Who's ever heard of that where there's a regulation that exempts the large companies?" This selective enforcement disproportionately burdens small businesses and volunteers, who lack the resources to navigate the complex compliance requirements. Thankfully, the CTA has faced significant legal challenges, with multiple courts already ruling it unconstitutional.

Legal challenges and judicial resistance

Schlafly detailed the ongoing legal battle, mentioning the pivotal role of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in securing injunctions against the act. Notably, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals – known for its conservative leanings – has been at the forefront of these efforts, granting a stay on the CTA's enforcement. Schlafly also recounted a recent development where a federal judge in Texas issued a second injunction, further protecting individuals from the CTA's reach. This ongoing legal saga highlights the judiciary's role in checking executive overreach and protecting constitutional rights. The federal government's desperation to enforce the CTA was evident in its emergency application to the Supreme Court, filed on New Year's Eve. Schlafly expressed skepticism about the government's claims of urgency, noting that the issue hardly constitutes a national security crisis. He praised Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito for his cautious approach, allowing time for opposition briefs to be filed. The involvement of 22 states in filing amicus briefs against the CTA underscores the widespread opposition to this federal overreach. Schlafly emphasized the importance of this collective effort in defending the rights of small businesses and volunteers across the country.

The broader implications for American society

Schlafly highlighted the CTA's chilling effect on volunteerism, a cornerstone of American society. The AAPS general counsel cited Alexis de Tocqueville's observations on the unique role of voluntary associations in the U.S. arguing that the CTA undermines this vital aspect of civic life. Its punitive measures, including potential prison sentences and loss of Second Amendment rights, serve as a deterrent to civic engagement and community participation. Adams concluded the interview with a rallying cry for viewers to take action. He urged citizens to contact their elected representatives and voice their opposition to the CTA. He also expressed hope that the Trump administration would take decisive action to repeal or suspend the act, emphasizing the need for a government that prioritizes the rights and freedoms of its citizens. Schlafly echoed this sentiment, expressing optimism that the tide is turning against the Deep State's attempts to expand its power. He highlighted the importance of vigilance and civic engagement in preserving the liberties that define the American way of life. The CTA represents a significant threat to the freedoms and rights of small businesses and volunteers across the United States. As the battle against it continues, it serves as a stark reminder of the need for constant vigilance in the defense of liberty. Watch the full interview between Andy Schlafly and the Health Ranger Mike Adams below. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

The Dr. Hotze Report: Dr. Steve Hotze and Andy Schlafly discuss GOVERNMENT CENSORSHIP – Brighteon.TV. Corporate Transparency Act chaos: Small businesses caught in regulatory limbo. The surveillance state's assault on privacy: A dangerous precedent. Sources include: Brighteon.com USChamber.com TruthAndLiberty.net

Texas United States Americans Fourth Amendment Mike Adams Second Amendment freedom tyranny big government Bill of Rights Health Ranger Report Health Ranger deep state Fifth Amendment Supreme Court Ken Paxton Samuel Alito liberty FinCEN Andy Schlafly Corporate Transparency Act CTA Alexis de Tocqueville volunteerism