While the anger and desperation are truly understandable in the wake of another “Police Murder”, violence and looting in the time of Trump, create a significant danger to the cause of instituting real monumental change that will finally result in equality in America. We have already heard AG Barr and Trump claim that the violence is coming from left wing anarchists. Barr repeated the claim that “it is left wing extremists creating the disorder”. He further stated; “it is against Federal Law to cross state lines to institute violence”.
While I don’t yet know with any certainty exactly who is responsible, I do know that the Boogaloo Boys (an extreme right wing group), was identified, although not confirmed, as being present at a Protest in Louisville, Ky. However, it really doesn’t matter who is responsible for the violence and looting, because it plays into Trump’s hand, regardless of who it is. There is nothing Trump wants more than to put the military out in the streets and declare Martial Law. It isn’t just that he wants to show an iron fist response, it is that Martial Law and an Emergency Declaration will give him and Barr the power they desire to override the Constitution. I recognize that some might argue that “he can’t do that” or “he’ll never get away with that”. Well, how many times have we heard that since Trump took power? I am very much afraid that an Emergency Declaration will give Trump the perception that his power is then “truly unlimited”. While I cannot accurately predict what he will do, it isn’t beyond the realm of possibilities that he will decide that we cannot hold an election during what he determines, is “extreme” civil unrest.
We have seen with authoritarians in other countries that emergency declarations are often the actual beginning of the end of democracy. I believe that is exactly what Trump wants! Just consider for a moment that the leader Trump most admires is Vladimir Putin. Now consider that Putin is directly responsible for the slaughter of up to 35,000 innocent women and children civilians in Syria. Trump has said that he sees Putin as being a “tough leader” and has never spoken out against him. When compared to Obama, Trump insisted that Putin was a better leader, because “at least he was tough”.
I don’t claim to know what lies ahead, but we have to be very careful that make it to our elections in November without a disruption by Trump and the Republicans. If we are to have a chance at restoring decency and protection of our Democracy, the November elections are the most important in the history of our country. I don’t think there is anyone that despises Trump more than I. However, this is not the time to give Trump a reason to further consolidate his power.