Enes Kanter Freedom Plans To Run For Office In 2028 Once Waiting Period Ends
Enes Kanter Freedom has never been afraid to stand up for what's right. But now, the former NBA player is ready to enact some real change. Only problem is, he has to wait until 2028.
Appearing on Friday's episode of OutKick's Don't @ Me, Freedom told Dan Dakich that support is high for him to run for political office in the United States.
"Every time I go to Congress or Senate, people are like, ‘What are you doing? What are you waiting for? You have an amazing shot at this,'" Freedom said.
Enes Kanter Freedom Says He Is Running For Congress In 2028 | Don't @ Me With Dan Dakich
Freedom, who grew up in Turkey, gained his U.S. citizenship in 2021. By law, he has to wait seven years to run for office. And Freedom said he's excited about the opportunity to make a difference.
"Being an activist is good, and it's amazing. It inspires so many people," he said. "But I think to make a real change, you have to be in Congress."
(Getty Images)
Freedom's Turkish citizenship was revoked in 2017 after he condemned human rights violations in the country. And over the past several years, the 6-foot-10 basketball player has spoken out for the rights of Uyghurs, Tibetans, Hongkongers, Taiwanese and others facing oppression from the Chinese Communist Party.
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In fact, after calling out China on multiple occasions, the NBA basically blackballed him from the league.
(Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
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As someone who went through the process to gain his U.S. citizenship legally, Freedom is frustrated with the flood of immigrants rushing over the southern border unchecked.
"Who are these people? Those people could be pro-CCP. Those people could be in Hamas, ISIS, Hezbollah, you don't know. What about if another 9-11 happens just because of those people?" Freedom said.
"There are so many people who hate America — like really hate America. So you don't know who's coming in or not. So I don't think it's too much to ask from our government, 'Hey guys, who's coming in?'"
Safe to say we know what's on Freedom's agenda if he's elected to office. As for what state he'd represent? There's only one requirement.
"Send me somewhere warm, man," he joked with Dakich. "My whole life, I've played for cold cities — New York, Boston, Utah, Oklahoma, Portland. I need to go somewhere warm where I'm going to wake up in a good mood."
Whatever the weather, though, Freedom found his calling. Maybe he can get that 2028 campaign started right now.
"I'm really excited, man, because it's just an honor to serve a country that gave me so much — gave me a home, gave me a family, gave me a job, gave me fame and everything that I have ever gained. After God, obviously," Freedom said. "But I'm really excited."