Federal Troop Deployment Has Echoes Of Authoritarianism

Robert Crohan/Staff Writer

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, conventional wisdom holds that autocrats around the world have used this as an opportunity to expand their power. Unfortunately, the red flags are waving in what is supposedly the most democratic state on earth.

During Black Lives Matter protests in Portland, Oregon, unidentified federal troops have viciously attacked protesters, sometimes seriously injuring or even detaining them in unnamed vehicles. This seriously disturbing trend looks to expand without action, as President Trump threatened to send them to Chicago and other major U.S. cities. 

Their violence and detainments have Americans fearful of what could come next, especially those who fled violence and autocratic regimes abroad. For Americans of color, troop activity reinforces the scourge of white supremacy.

To better grasp what is going on, we must look at the details: the troops are a special unit of the Customs and Border Patrol, sent by Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf to protect federal property such as statues that protesters have vandalized elsewhere. These agents are not required to identify themselves, but this is problematic in quelling violence as people are left outraged and confused.

Although Miami is unlikely to be a target, given that it is run by Republicans, its protests have sparked concern that Trump could deploy the troops to attack nonviolent protesters, given that Florida is a must-win for his campaign. 

These troops are allowed to conduct otherwise illegal arrests as they likely operate in the vicinity of drug cartels. However, what they are doing goes beyond maintaining order: video footage shows random people—including veterans—being tackled and violently clubbed when no wrongdoings were committed, a clear sign that something else fishy is going on. 

Additionally, even if troop activity is technically legal, Trump’s deployment of them may not be, as mayors and governors are in charge. Recently, Portland’s mayor was hit with tear gas and called for a swift end to the injustices. 

Former FBI Director James Comey, along with Congressional Democrats, warns that the President might have malicious intent: by trying to create images of chaos in Democratic-run areas to stoke fears of a Biden presidency. This will prop him up as the hero of “law and order,” echoing Richard Nixon’s 1968 presidential campaign.

Although this cannot be proven, it is an idea worth considering: recent Trump attack ads warn that Joe Biden wants to defund the police, although Biden himself plainly said that he does not support this measure. And Trump had peaceful protesters tear-gassed for a photo-op.

Trump has made some good accomplishments as president, but his authoritative tendencies have become harder to overlook

Trump has made some good accomplishments as president, but his authoritative tendencies have become harder to overlook: he has threatened American allies while praising autocratic leaders like North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, invited election meddling from Russia and China, ignored Russia’s bounty on US troops in Afghanistan, and ordered a military strike on Iranian soil without warning congress, although this was rescinded. 

He recently stated that he might not accept election results, and although this can be taken to mean that he is wary of fraud, people are working hard to ensure a safe election. This could mean that Trump will do anything to hold onto power. Perhaps most concerning of all is his call to delay the presidential election in response to falling poll numbers. The head of state may have these powers in China or Russia, but not in the United States. 

The insanity erupting makes perceptions of everyone worse: young people will further distrust the police, average Americans will lose confidence in the military, Democrats will look incompetent, the G.O.P. will look autocratic, and America will look unappealing as a world leader in a time of Chinese aggression. The fact that detained people did nothing wrong and may not be seen publicly again is absolutely unacceptable.

With all this being said, we cannot cower to Trump’s autocratic power-grab. Especially with the passing of the Representative John Lewis, I highly encourage everyone willing and able to continue protesting for full equal rights. Indeed, the 1960s civil rights marches lasted for months and employed peaceful tactics. Protesters must decide for themselves the best course of action, but engaging in violent acts will only embolden Trump to make more infringements on our liberties in a tumultuous time.

We must show without hesitation that we are stronger than these cowards hiding behind their uniform.

We must urge our representatives of both parties to listen to protesters’ concerns and demand accountability. Yes, some protesters have awfully attacked the police, but detaining and attacking innocent people is unjustified when our country should be moving forward and healing. The Democratic measures to force officers to disclose their identity must be passed without trouble. And quite frankly, it is sad that someone had to strip naked to get these troops to go away.

To see unjustified attacks on protesters rings America’s bell of the original civil rights movement that nearly killed Lewis, and, for immigrants and their families, of the acts of autocratic leaders. In 2020 America, for a party to resort to oppressive measures to save face with an approaching election is abhorrent. There is not too much we can do, but we must do everything we can to end this and remind our leaders of their job: to uphold liberty in the beacon of freedom.

Featured image by Gage Skidmore on Flickr.

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