John Anthony Castro Continues Fight for Freedom, Appeals to Supreme Court and International Bodies

John Anthony Castro is a former Republican presidential candidate, tax attorney, and founder of AI Tax. He says he is refusing to surrender. The federal tax-related convictions, which he insists were politically motivated, keep him incarcerated.

Castro gained attention after filing lawsuits to remove Donald Trump from state ballots under Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment. He argued that Trump’s conduct around January 6 disqualified him from holding federal office. His legal challenge made him one of Trump’s most visible Republican critics during the presidential campaign.

Today, Castro remains in federal prison while continuing an aggressive legal campaign that now includes appeals to the U.S. Supreme Court, petitions to the United Nations, and filings before the International Criminal Court.

Speaking with Renaldo McKenzie of The Neoliberal, Castro maintained that he has exhausted every available avenue in the lower courts and believes his case now rests in the hands of God.

“I’ve dotted all my I’s and crossed all my T’s,” Castro said. “I’ve done my part. Now I know it’s in God’s hands.”

Supreme Court Appeal

According to Castro, the U.S. Court of Appeals recently rejected his latest arguments, prompting him to prepare a petition for rehearing before moving forward with a petition for a writ of certiorari asking the U.S. Supreme Court to hear his case.

Castro argues that each time he develops a new legal strategy challenging what he describes as his unlawful incarceration, another legal obstacle emerges.

“They always find something to keep me here,” he said.

Allegations of Prosecutorial Misconduct

Throughout the interview, Castro reiterated allegations that federal prosecutors improperly withheld evidence and entered into undisclosed agreements with witnesses.

He pointed to what he described as acknowledgments by the Fifth Circuit that immunity agreements existed with a government witness. Castro argues that those agreements were significant because they demonstrated possible motive and bias rather than merely affecting the witness’s credibility.

According to Castro, courts have incorrectly characterized the evidence as merely “cumulative impeachment evidence.”

“They admitted there was a deal,” Castro said. “Everybody’s turning a blind eye to the fact that they gave immunity to a criminal to testify against me.”

These are Castro’s characterizations of the proceedings. The government has maintained the validity of his conviction, and the appellate court ultimately declined to grant him relief.

Claims of Continued Smear Campaign

Castro also alleged that efforts to damage his reputation have continued while he remains incarcerated.

He described a recent incident in which his wife discovered what he says was a fake social media account claiming that Castro had failed to pay a campaign photographer.

Castro denied the allegation, stating that the individual named had never worked for his campaign and that his only campaign photographer was Aaron Farooz.

According to Castro, such posts are intended to influence public perception by creating false narratives online.

“They’re planting seeds,” he said. “Two years after convicting me, somebody is still putting in effort to convince the public that I’m a bad person.”

The Neoliberal has not independently verified Castro’s allegations regarding the social media account.

Appeal to the United Nations

Additionally, Castro said he and his wife submitted a petition to WGAD requesting intervention.

The Working Group reviews claims alleging unlawful or politically motivated detention around the world.

Castro acknowledged that he does not know whether the UN will intervene but believes submitting the petition was necessary.

“All I know is that we submitted it,” he said.

International Criminal Court Referral

Castro also confirmed that he has submitted what he describes as a criminal referral to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

International Criminal Court of Justice (ICC) Gathering

He alleges that recent actions taken by the Trump administration against various political opponents, public officials, professors, and activists demonstrate a broader pattern of politically motivated retaliation.

Among those examples, Castro referenced the deportation and prosecution of an immigrant rights activist in El Salvador, arguing that the incident may provide a basis for ICC jurisdiction because El Salvador is a state party to the Rome Statute.

These allegations have not been adjudicated by the ICC.

Frustration with Republican Leadership

Despite having run as a Republican presidential candidate, Castro expressed little confidence that the Republican Party or the Justice Department would intervene on his behalf.

Instead, he says he has filed 33 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests seeking records he believes could support his claims.

“I cast a large net,” Castro said. “If there’s something out there, I’m going to find it.”

Faith Amid Incarceration

Throughout the conversation, Castro repeatedly returned to his Christian faith as the source of his perseverance.

Drawing comparisons to the Apostle Paul writing from prison, Castro said Scripture reminds him that suffering does not have the final word.

“If I hadn’t read the Bible,” he said, “I’d be a lot more discouraged.”

He said his confidence rests not in immediate legal success but in his belief that “my name will be cleared one day.”

A Prayer for Justice

At the conclusion of the interview, McKenzie prayed with Castro, asking God to strengthen him during his incarceration and to ensure that justice ultimately prevails.

McKenzie prayed for Castro’s family, for wisdom among the judges who may eventually hear the case, and that “the truth will come to bear” regarding the allegations Castro has raised.

Invoking the biblical account of Daniel in the lions’ den, McKenzie prayed that God would sustain Castro through what he described as a difficult season until he has the opportunity to fully tell his story.

The Road Ahead

Moreover, Castro says his next legal step is a petition asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review his conviction. Castro says he plans to file a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court to review his conviction after exhausting relief in the Fifth Circuit.

Whether the Court agrees to hear the case remains uncertain. In the meantime, Castro continues pursuing domestic and international legal avenues while maintaining that he is not merely a federal inmate but a political prisoner whose prosecution was intended to silence one of Donald Trump’s Republican challengers.

Those allegations remain disputed, and the federal conviction remains in effect unless overturned by a higher court. Nevertheless, Castro says he remains steadfast.

“I have peace,” he said. “I know it’s going to work out. I know my name will be cleared one day.”

By Renaldo C. McKenzie | The Neoliberal.

Renaldo McKenzie is the Author of Neoliberalism, Globalization, Income Inequality, Poverty and Resistance and the Creator and Host of The Neoliberal Round Podcast and YouTube Channel. Renaldo is also Editor-in-Chief at The Neoliberal Journals and President of The Neoliberal Corporation