Adam Kokesh, an Iraq War veteran, activist, radio show host, and currently a candidate for the US Libertarian Party's 2020 presidential nomination, spoke with Wikinews to discuss his background, political positions, and campaign for President of the United States.
Kokesh, who hails from Arizona, has been active in the anti-war movement since returning home from combat in Iraq.  After an initial honorary discharge from active duty with the US Marine Corp in 2006, Kokesh was given a general discharge from the Marine Forces Reserve in 2007 after images of him wearing his uniform while participating in a protest with the Iraq Veterans Against the War were published in The Washington Post.  Kokesh has also been involved in demonstrations in support of free speech, gun rights, and marijuana decriminalization.  Some of these activities have resulted in his arrest.  Kokesh previously hosted a show on RT and currently hosts a show on internet radio.
Politically, Kokesh supported the 2008 and 2012 presidential campaigns of Ron Paul.  He was a featured speaker at Paul's Rally for the Republic in 2008.  Kokesh ran for US Congress as a Republican in 2010 in New Mexico and for US Senate in Arizona in 2018.  He announced his 2020 candidacy in 2013 during a jailhouse interview.  He has based his campaign on the pledge to begin "dissolving the federal government in a peaceful, orderly manner" and to resign as president and take the title of "Custodian of the Federal Government."  
Other contenders for the Libertarian Party's 2020 presidential nomination include former Libertarian Party Vice Chairman Arvin Vohra, businessman John McAfee, and New Hampshire state representative Max Abramson.  Congressman Justin Amash and former Rhode Island governor and US Senator Lincoln Chafee are both reportedly considering runs.  Former New York gubernatorial candidate Larry Sharpe and former Massachusetts governor William Weld were both previously considered potential candidates but Sharpe suggested he would not run and Weld has decided to run in the 2020 Republican Party presidential primaries, challenging President Donald Trump.
With accredited Wikinews reporter William S. Saturn, Kokesh details his background and activism, his thoughts on the Libertarian Party, the Presidency of Donald Trump, and the goals for his campaign and presidency. 
((Wikinews)) Which presidential candidates have you supported and/or voted for in previous election cycles during your lifetime?
((WN)) Which historical or contemporary figures do you admire and consider as role models?  Why?
((WN)) At what point during your time in Iraq did you realize the effort there was immoral?
((WN)) In what ways do you believe you have accomplished what you have sought through activism?  In what ways have you failed?
((WN)) Why did you join the Libertarian Party?
((WN)) In 2016, the Libertarian Party's presidential nominee Gary Johnson received 3.28 percent of the popular vote, the most of any previous Libertarian presidential nominee.  What can you do as the party's nominee to increase the vote share? 
((WN)) What are your thoughts on your fellow candidates and potential candidates for the Libertarian Party's 2020 presidential nomination, specifically, former Vice Chairman Arvin Vohra, former New York gubernatorial candidate Larry Sharpe, and former Massachusetts Governor William Weld?
((WN)) What qualities of President Donald Trump and his presidency do you admire?  What qualities do you despise?
((WN)) What actions of President Trump do you support?  What actions do you disapprove?
((WN)) As President Trump learned early in his presidency, federal courts can effectively nullify controversial executive orders.  If you are elected president, what will you do in the event a federal court rules your executive order creating a process to dissolve the federal government as unconstitutional?
((WN)) On your website you state "American troops abroad will be immediately brought home in a responsible and orderly manner that does not endanger their lives."  The qualifier "responsible" has been used previously to justify an indefinite military presence.  Can you clarify what you mean by a "responsible and orderly manner" of withdrawal?
((WN)) What has led you to the conclusion that running for president is the best way to spread your message over other avenues?

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Wikinews interviews 2020 US Libertarian Party presidential candidate Adam Kokesh