In The Hunger Games, they are called, ‘Peacekeepers.’ In The Handmaid’s Tale, they are called ‘Guardians.’
What will we come to call Donald Trump’s opaque paramilitary police force?
Art is becoming reality in today’s America, and on Monday the Trump administration revealed the next city to host its military-fatigued goon squad. Chicago, get ready. About 150 federal agents from the Department of Homeland Security are preparing to deploy to the Windy City this week, with the scope of their duty not known, according to a report in the Chicago Tribune.
Every American must be ready to stand up to this ongoing unconstitutional show of government force that in Portland, Ore., has involved the U.S. Marshals’ Special Operation Group and the Customs and Border Protection’s Border Patrol Tactical Unit. We all need to emulate the examples set over the weekend by the ‘Portland Moms’ and Navy veteran Christopher David.
The Portland Moms are a group of middle-aged mothers who, for the last two nights, have courageously locked arms and faced down Donald Trump’s thugs. Their bravery was met Sunday night with tear-gas and flash bangs, as federal forces showed they don’t differentiate between demonstrators.
The Bill Barr Army also beat up a stoic Navy veteran Saturday night. Christopher David, a 53-year-old retired commissioned officer, wanted to question federal agents about the constitutionality of their actions. Instead, a group of men dressed head-to-toe in camouflage, displaying no badges or identification, smashed him with batons and fired pepper spray in his face. He now needs surgery to repair broken fingers.
Donald Trump is intent on showing the nation he is tough on crime. Not the white-collar crimes that he and his corrupt, kleptocratic cabal are clearly committing on the country. Rather, he wants to combat graffiti and the toppling of Confederate statues.
When lying to Congress or the FBI is involved, as in the cases of Roger Stone and Michael Flynn, apparently that is acceptable behavior. But bring down a monument of a traitor to this nation? Then, the president wants to send you to federal prison for 10 years.
Racial-justice demonstrations have been going on in Portland for close to two months, and they were winding down by all local media accounts. Oregon Gov. Kate Brown has accused Trump of inciting the protesters as an election ploy to stir up his right-wing extremist base of support.
But we have to view this action as more than some kind of stunt. In a Sunday interview with Fox News’ Chris Wallace, the president refused to say whether he would accept the results of November’s election if he loses. Who is to say the events in Portland haven’t been a trial run for what could take place in every major city if Trump desperately tries to cling to power against the will of the people?
Americans cannot wait, cross our fingers and hope for the best. We need to stand up today and send a clear message. It is unacceptable in our society to have militarized federal agents snatching civilians off the streets and stuffing them into unmarked rental vehicles.
We can no longer solely rely on the younger generation to take on this fight. Americans from all walks of life -- whether they be concerned mothers or military veterans -- must come together to stand up to this menace. Let the bravery of the Portland Moms and Christopher David show us the way.
If not, a very bleak dystopian future could be in store for us all.