As Trump attempts to rally support for his reelection, he is taking “initiative” by sending federal troops into so-called crime-ridden cities. He claims doing so is in the interest of public safety. On July 4, 2020, however, Trump sent federal “aid” to Portland against protesters. Only the chaos did not stop — it spread further.
The truth is he does not care about public safety. He is the same person who did not wear a mask until over 142,000 people died, and who openly endorsed injecting oneself with disinfectant. The only thing he is concerned about is money and power.
Targeting Democratic Cities
In recent weeks cities like Chicago and Philadelphia have seen significant spikes in crime. Interestingly, Trump’s main competitors are Democratic leaders in these cities. Throughout the week, however, mayors have given statements rejecting Trump’s troops. However, he has been relatively persistent in overriding their authority.
For example, Chicago mayor, Lori Lightfoot stated she is “willing to cooperate with Trump, but she is not willing to have federal soldiers in the city.” Still, he continues to mobilize U.S. Marshals, the FBI, and DEA agents. These agents cover anything identifiable on their persons and violate constitutional rights. He calls this “Operation Legend.” However, most people would call it an abuse of power. These troops, however, have not stopped crime, they have ensued chaos.
Crisis In Portland
Moreover, in Portland, people were kidnapped, blindfolded, and thrown into unmarked vehicles. These agents strip people of their First Amendment rights. Furthermore, they arrived without the consent of state officials and put federal agents in a position to act as state authority. Repeatedly, Trump continues to acts like a child who was given a country.
The Mobilization of “Trump’s Troops”
He wants an authoritarian government. He is not a trustworthy leader. He does not provide guidance or give hope. Instead, he incites fear. The thought of the presidency being taken away makes him throw a tantrum. Rather than helping bring an end to systemic racism or aid in the Yemen crisis, he continuously disregards everyone. Worse yet, there are claims that he is mobilizing troops in the real world and online.
Furthermore, Trump reportedly has begun using the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to collect information by searching social media accounts. They are looking for anyone who they believe would deface a monument. According to CNN, “any pictures or posts showing spray cans could be flagged by analysts trained to identify terrorists.” It is best to hide any other identifiable information when at a protest, regardless of whether it is peaceful or not.
Leadership Means Taking Responsibility President Trump
It is essential to acknowledge that over the past few weeks, there has been an uptick in crime. However, this does not mean that Trump has the right to override the states’ authority. In doing so, he is not only undermining state officials but also the Constitution, which prohibits such practices. Many have been saying that he should be marked down in history as the worst president.
Overall, his actions are inexcusable; they are all an attempt at reelection. If he makes his competitors look bad, he believes the American public will favor him in November. One would like to think that the American public has a bit more common sense.
After all, the primary reason America may experience another shutdown is that the president repeatedly ignored facts. Protests have continued because he has yet to acknowledge systemic racism and his role in it. Instead, he goes on twitter rants to blame democrats for his decisions.
Opinion by Reginae Echols
Edited by Sheena Robertson and Cathy Milne-Ware
Sources:
WBUR: ‘A Profoundly Un-American Attack On Civil Society’: Why Trump’s Paramilitary Force Is Unconstitutional
CNN Politics: Trump announces ‘surge’ of federal officers to Chicago as he campaigns on ‘law and order’ mantle
Fortune: ‘Trump troops’ in U.S. cities: What the law says about their rights—and yours
Featured Image Courtesy of Gage Skidmore’s Flickr Page- Creative Commons License
Inline Image Courtesy of Kelly Kline’s Flickr Page- Creative Commons License
