This week, we saw U.S. soldiers in the streets of an American city as the president held a political rally on an Army base, all while tanks rolled into our nation’s capital for an expensive vanity parade. No matter your political leanings, this sort of quick slide into authoritarianism simply cannot be normalized.
Donald Trump’s campaign promise to do mass deportations of “murderers, rapists, and violent gang members” resonated with enough Americans to help him win the presidency. However, when that proved much more difficult than the administration thought, Trump’s deportation czar, 39-year-old Stephen Miller, looked to lower-hanging fruit, such as “Home Depots and 7-Elevens.”
The administration shifted tactics. They began canceling visas so that someone would immediately be here "illegally," so that masked ICE agents could disappear them. They began canceling asylum hearings for people who had entered the country by legal means and were following the prescribed process so that ICE agents could be on hand to take them into custody. Some ended up in a foreign gulag run by a dictator at the expense of the American taxpayer, and all were deprived of due process.
When the inevitable pushback came, Trump used low-level dissent in Los Angeles as an excuse to use Title 10, Section 12406 of the U.S. Code to mobilize the California National Guard. The provision allows the president to activate National Guard troops into federal service in the event of a rebellion or danger of rebellion against the authority of the U.S. government, or if the execution of federal laws is being obstructed.
The Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 prohibits the use of federal military forces for domestic law enforcement, except under specific exceptions, such as the Insurrection Act, which Trump has yet to invoke. However, he directed his Secretary of Defense to look into the possibility of using an “invasion at the border” as justification for doing so, shortly after taking office. After calling up the National Guard, Trump then sent hundreds of U.S. Marines to Los Angeles despite the governor and mayor pleading that he not further escalate the situation.
None of this was necessary. This wasn’t the Rodney King riots; this wasn’t even 2020. An aggressive LAPD was in full force for the relatively small and centralized demonstrations, even taking pot shots at non-violent protesters and members of the press with rubber bullets. But that wasn’t the point. The point was that Trump has wanted to turn the military on his opponents since his first administration, when he actually asked if protestors could be shot in the legs to make it easier to disperse the crowds that had gathered in D.C. to protest his cruelty.
The administration says that the militarization of Los Angeles is to keep police safe, but this is the same man who blanketly pardoned January 6 insurrectionists—even those who assaulted and injured police officers. In fact, Trump even called the LA protestors “insurrectionists” in his speech. Trump’s lap dog Attorney General, Pam Bondi, was asked about the hypocrisy and merely claimed the situations were “very different.”
The difference is quite clear. If you are among the half of the country who support Trump’s policies, no matter how depraved, you are a fine American, worthy of protection from the state, both physically and legally. If you are among the half of the country who do not, then you are the enemy and worthy of having the state’s power used to deprive you of your constitutional rights.
No U.S. president has ever held a rally on a military base, and for good reason. In a democratic country, the military must be apolitical. But when he hired a drunken, misogynistic, part-time Fox News host to be our Secretary of Defense, Trump made it very clear that he intended to politicize the military by any and all means. Secretary Hegseth was on Capitol Hill this week, where several members of Congress told him to his face what an unqualified disgrace they found him to be and why. But even a stiff dressing down from much more accomplished and experienced statesmen was not enough to wipe the smugness from his face, because, like with Stephen Miller, for Hegseth, the cruelty is the point.
Trump’s speech, which you can watch in full here, was no different from any campaign rally, complete with the slandering of President Biden, Governor Newsom, and the LA protestors who obviously “hate our country.” He also repeated several debunked online conspiracies about the protests before insisting that someone must be funding them and even paying people to participate, promising that Bondi would hold them accountable. Again, the hypocrisy was rich, considering we do know who funded the J6 protests that led to the actual insurrection. However, many of them, such as Publix Heiress Julie Jenkins Fancelli, who donated at least $650,000 toward groups organizing the “Stop the Steal” protests, are Trump donors and supporters, so I suppose we shouldn’t expect any justice on that front.
To see such a spectacle take place amid the hoots and hollers of members of the 82nd Airborne Division seated behind the president was both gutwrenching and dystopian. It was later reported that those in attendance were screened to ensure that anyone who might not appear sufficiently enthusiastic would not be on camera. Trump also reportedly insisted that none of the soldiers be overweight. Apparently there was only enough room for one fat ass on that stage. Like sending troops into an American city, the intent was clear. Normalize it. It’s no longer the United States Army, in Trump’s view. He's Commander in Chief, so it’s his Army to use as he sees fit, and Trump hates his domestic enemies far more than any foreign adversary.
On Saturday, for the first time ever, tanks will be in the streets of Washington, D.C., for the military parade Trump has long lusted after, inspired by his visit to France during his first term, where he saw a Bastille Day parade. It will cost tens of millions of dollars (including at least $16 million budgeted just to repair the streets after Abrams tanks run through them). Still, he gutted VA funding and fired thousands of veterans for no reason via DOGE, so the cost will be somewhat offset, I suppose. The event was initially to take place next Independence Day, coinciding with the nation’s 250th anniversary. However, someone realized that the Army’s 250th birthday coincided with Trump’s 79th birthday, and well … narcissism.
As a veteran, I am appalled by Trump, a man who has routinely disparaged those who have served and cowardly escaped his own service by claiming “bone spurs.” I do not believe that he is fit to be Commander-in-Chief, and his selection of Hegseth, the most unqualified Secretary of Defense in our nation’s history, only compounds that opinion. But this is much bigger than that. He has shown us in just one week how far he is willing to go in terms of eroding our democracy and depriving Americans of their constitutional rights.
We cannot survive as a nation in which half of the inhabitants are othered by a president who routinely describes them to his supporters as the enemies of our country. Despite pledging to "end lawfare," Trump's people are using the powers of the state to go after Senators and members of Congress who disagree with them. This is literally how civil wars happen, and if you think your life will improve when one breaks out, you have not read your history, my friend.
Dennis "Mitch" Maley is an editor and columnist for The Bradenton Times and the host of our weekly podcast. With over two decades of experience as a journalist, he has covered Manatee County government since 2010. He is a graduate of Shippensburg University and later served as a Captain in the U.S. Army. Click here for his bio. Mitch is also the author of three novels and a short story collection available here.
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Cat L
He's using the same BS marketing tactics as he did in the first term with Portland Oregon. A friend in downtown Portland shared that on four separate occasions he saw the news and Trump saying a riot was happening, but he heard nothing from his house. He went driving around looking for it and found nothing even resembling violence. Downtown Portland is not big enough to miss a riot if it's happening.....
Trump is a con artist.
Friday, June 13 Report this
lib224
Saturday is NO Kings day. Get out on the streets and show your support. Events happening everywhere.
Friday, June 13 Report this
jimandlope
As a veteran I too am appalled at the recent actions of our draft dodging, felonious, con artist president. I am continually amazed at when the Jan 6th insurrection is brought up it’s,”not the same,”. Police officers were most definitely assaulted, injured and physically harmed yet this is not the same? No National Guard was called by this same President and these same insurrectionists were pardoned and might even be granted monetary compensation by this same president? But… protestors in LA should be dealt with severely? James F Tierney, Bradenton
Friday, June 13 Report this
rjckeuka4
In the meantime, where is our Representative Vern?? This morning, I got his newsletter expounding on his support of the Big Beautiful Bill and the great things it does for us...all smoke screens to cover up all the horrendous things it actually does. What a crock!!! He hides out...as does Steube...while doing the bidding of a fascist president!!! GET'EM ALL OUT!!!!!!
Friday, June 13 Report this
Ritalg
When this becomes history what will you all tell your grandkids when they read about it? Will you tell them you stood up for what was right or will you tell them you allowed this to happen. Be on the right side of history. People have died and more will die because of this administration. Food banks have lost funding and veterans are losing benefits and their jobs. Those are just two things that have happened that will affect our community. So much more has happened. This isn’t a republican or democrat problem, this is an oligarchy problem (look that word up or you don’t know what it means). Billionaires are going to get millions in tax relief while the poorest among us are going to have to choose between a place to live, food, or medicines. If you’ve never known poverty you are lucky. Don’t let these people kill off our most vulnerable. LEGAL immigrants are being deported. Non criminal, legal immigrants. Children are being handcuffed and taken away. These billionaires have made immigration the focus so we don’t notice what they are doing to ruin lives and make the poor suffer. Stand up for what is right. Join the no kings day rally’s. Tell your maga friends what you’ve learned about what’s really happening in the government. Help the poor, volunteer, and donate to the food banks. Look up where the food banks are in our area and share with your friends and neighbors. People are going to suffer, people are losing and more will los their jobs. Our community will need help. Be on the right side of history.
Friday, June 13 Report this
David Daniels
In their excellent book, How Democracies Die, authors Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt take us through the many times in history where Democracies have been established, and then failed to to autocracy. Places like Hungary, Turkey, Venezuela. Most importantly, the book describes Countries where would-be dictators are stopped. The lesson is that elected leaders of the would-be dictator's own party must stand up and put democracy over party and power. Instead of leaders, we have cowards as elected Republicans (I am a R). From County Commissioner to State Legislator, to Congress, not a single Florida elected Republican "leader" is standing up for the rule of law. As Dante said, 'there is a special place in hell for those who stood silent Cowards! "The darkest places in hell are reserved for those who maintain their neutrality in times of moral crisis." — Dante Alighieri
Friday, June 13 Report this
ruthlawler
As the daughter, sister and widow of military veterans, I am APPALLED at the weaponization of our military by the Trump administration. In the early 1970s, while there were protests against the Vietnam war, my husband was in the Air Nationa Guard as a First Lieutenant heading a group to install updated electronic communications equipment. He got the order that he and his group would have to start training in crowd control. He resigned that week from the military. We MUST stand up to this weaponization of our military against the American public. This is clear gestapo tactics. Join the millions of us around the nation to peacefully rally and stand for NO KINGS day on Saturday, June 14th. We MUST protect our democracy, the US Constitution and the rule of law. Ruth Lawler
Friday, June 13 Report this
rayfusco68
If we don't learn from History we will be doomed by it:
"First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me."
Friday, June 13 Report this
mklimek
Excellent op-ed Mitch, and many great comments as well. As for this "paid protesters" BS, none of us 2000 strong on University for "No Kings" this morning were paid. We all just hate Trump for free.
Saturday, June 14 Report this
misty
I recently listed to Ken Burns on a podcast commenting on his new series, The American Revolution - which I can't wait to watch. He pointed out themes from the 18th‑century - debates over power, resistance to monarchy, public health controversies - and how it mirrors our current political landscape. Burns talked about focusing on historical complexity, civic responsibility and warns that ignoring those lessons puts us at risk of repeating them. He emphasized putting “the us back in the U.S.” by including diverse voices. I think he is spot on.
Sunday, June 15 Report this