Comedian and actor Bill Burr said on a recent podcast that only a large-scale violent conflict could fix the United States’ societal problems. He stated that people reject an oppressive society lacking freedom, which he believes the country is approaching, and criticized extensive monitoring of ordinary individuals who are not major criminals.

Burr claimed the surveillance exists due to officials’ own conduct and planned steps, along with awareness of likely public reactions. He added that no army has ever been sufficient to stop a revolution, but tracking conversations and locations allows authorities to suppress isolated incidents. In response to a question about what would bring actual change, he said those in power will not yield without that level of violence.