Nick Offerman thinks some people don’t understand his Parks and Recreation character, Ron Swanson.

Offerman, 55, spoke to IndieWire in an interview published July 11 about his new movie Sovereign, exploring the real-life, anti-government Sovereign Citizen belief system and two sovereign citizens who fought the government in 2010.

IndieWire noted that Offerman’s prior roles include conservative and right-wing types, a contrast to his personal progressive beliefs. “I am a well-fed, middle-aged White guy who went to college, so, sadly, there are a lot of roles for me, both in the protagonist and villain categories. I don’t seek out anything in this particular wheelhouse,” he told the outlet. “But I do know that I’m grateful to be given the opportunity, because the mistakes of our civilization are so frustrating on a daily basis.”

The outlet asked Offerman his opinion on people who “co-opt [Ron] in contexts that contradict his values,” including people who think that in the real world, Ron would have voted for President Donald Trump. “Ron Swanson, a wonderful creation from much more brilliant minds than my own, people hold up for the wrong reasons, and take their own reading of this true Libertarian who was cool with everybody,” Offerman said. “And they somehow say, ‘Well, he had a shotgun, so he must be one of us.’ ” 

He continued, “Like, dumb people insist that Ron Swanson would’ve voted for Trump. And I don’t deign to answer myself.” He pointed out that Mike Schur, who created Parks and Rec and Ron, said that Ron wouldn’t have liked Trump because he went into public service.

“He would think he’s an absolute idiot,” Offerman said of his character’s thoughts on the president. “He would also despise him because he’s disrespectful to women and many others. And that’s just an example of all the people and value sets that Ron would despise, because Ron is a good person.” 

Back in June, Offerman responded to conservative media figure Michael Flynn Jr., who used a gif of Ron throwing a computer in a dumpster in a Parks and Rec episode to symbolize his disdain for Pride Month. Offerman shared the X post and wrote, “Ron was best man at a gay wedding you dumb f—. #HappyPride.”

As an actor, Offerman told IndieWire it’s frustrating when people receive his roles in new projects, including Sovereign, as a “variation of the theme of Ron Swanson.” Still, the Emmy winner said, “I am so grateful that I keep getting material that I am inspired by.” He’s also glad that his fame from playing Ron can bring “eyeballs” to the projects he chooses.

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Parks and Rec ran from 2009 to 2015. Since the series ending, Offerman has appeared in movies like Hearts Beat Loud, Bad Times at the El Royale, Dumb Money, The Life of Chuck and Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning. He also portrayed a president in the 2024 film Civil War. On TV, he hosted the craft competition series Making It and is a cast member on the animated series The Great North.