The terrorists in Barcelona momentarily moved Trump’s Nazi-supporting outrage to the number two position on many people’s list of concerns. Trump was ready for that. On Friday morning, in three simple tweets, Trump laid out a road map to the security state of his authoritarian dreams.
First, you need a force that’s ready to protect America without worrying about busting a few innocent heads, conducting a little mass murder, and protect America from brown people.
“Homeland Security and law enforcement are on alert & closely watching for any sign of trouble. Our borders are far tougher than ever before!”
Though it would be easier if it wasn’t for insidious lefties who care about things like rights and laws.
“The Obstructionist Democrats make Security for our country very difficult. They use the courts and associated delay at all times. Must stop!”
But safety can be had with a few simple steps … like giving up things you’ll never miss.
Radical Islamic Terrorism must be stopped by whatever means necessary! The courts must give us back our protective rights. Have to be tough!
Our “protective rights”? This seems to be the next-level perversion of all the times a Republican has stated that the first duty of the president is to keep citizens safe—a statement that always shows they didn’t pay too much attention during the oath of office. Trump is creating “rights” that are defined in the sense of things taken away. As in “we can keep you safe … if you’ll give up those pesky concerns about free speech and unlawful search.” And of course, a little torture wouldn’t hurt.
The duty of the president, Congress, and the armed forces is to “protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” Trump isn’t alone in pretending that this is something that can be pushed away with a little arm waving. But he does seem to be leading the charge in the effort to dispose of both the bill of rights and the rule of law.
Trump leaves little doubt that he’s promising safety in exchange for chunks torn from that Constitution. He’s previously argued that free speech needs to be reined in. That police are too constrained in their ability to stop people without cause—and in their ability to injure or kill without review. He’s proposed knocking down the walls that prevent the government from taking positions based on religious preference. And he’s endlessly complained about having to deal with judges (some of whom are even not white).
That worst thing about Trump’s odious story in which General Pershing commits mass murder simply to offend Muslims isn’t that it’s not true. It’s that Trump believes that it is true. And that killing people without trial to make a point is purely fine. So long as his people are safe, that justifies murder and mayhem.
Donald Trump has any number of odious themes—racism, sexism, violence—but the one touchstone that motivates almost everything Trump does is simple fear. He’s not alone. Republicans have put fear at the center of their party since at least 9/11. Whether it’s voter suppression or immigrant oppression, fear powers the way.
However, Trump has elevated fear to a kind of brutal art form.