I spent last weekend in Washington, D.C., which is now infested with ICE.
The National Guard suddenly occupies the city, and carries guns, as military tanks roll around outside Union Station, just steps from the U.S. Capitol.
Since my most recent visit to our nation’s capital in mid-June, mysterious and tall barrier fencing has been additionally installed, in all kinds of places- to include a new outer band, which entirely circles The White House. Public access is effectively cut off to places like Lafayette Square, and the 1600 block of Pennsylvania Avenue.
All super creepy. And none of it feels “temporary.”
A shocking number of people here accept the idea of turning D.C. into a police state. To “finally make the city safe.” (It doesn’t matter that violent crime has been decreasing nationwide for the last two years, to include in Washington, D.C., and all without such extreme intervention.)
The question is- for whom is all of this actually being done? Is it for the thousands of school children and their teachers, who pour in every day from all over America, to walk the city’s streets without incident, and visit places like The National Archives? So they can view the original U.S. Constitution for themselves- before it, too, is declared off-limits?
Or, is all of it happening just so the GOP can take credit for solving an overblown issue- to assume more power for the regime, in the process?
Only those who allow themselves to be mind-controlled by dog whistles from the societal gutter that is Fox News, and other platforms of their ilk, think this military presence on the streets of Washington, D.C. is in any way merited.
I used to attribute support of “him”, in those around me, to a willing stupidity. A lack of critical thought, or engagement- of any kind- with others different from themselves. Or perhaps from being so morally “un-formed”, that they somehow did not know better.
I have come to see that, all along, these voters knew exactly what they were doing. They like having him think for them. He makes them feel safe and cared for, which in turn, makes them feel important- and special. As such, he is (frighteningly) firmly enmeshed in their identity.
They also completely get that without them, there is no him.
In service to him, they will not let go. Soon or ever. Some of this stems out of their fear of others, who are; of a different race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexuality, immigration status, or socio-economic background.
Anyone who doesn’t look like them, or think exactly like them, apparently poses a threat to their very existence- at least according to Fox News, and other alt-right thinkers.
So, when he is finally gone, we can’t forget about those who allowed this to happen. What the rest of us will remember is “them” — these voters, and the shame they have brought, and continue to bring, to this country.
In this great sorting of humanity, it’s critical that we stand up right now against what they do. And everything else they plan to do. One does not want to get lumped in with them, into the same space, in this life.
One also does not want to find themself existing, in the same place as them, after that.
These military installments are, for the moment, entirely performative. The regime is “responding” to a crisis that quite simply does not actually exist. That will be the case, until of course, they create a crisis.
Engendering such a scenario will provide “justification” for them to double down on their control over this country. Given the “right” situation, this administration and their allies, will fill these barricaded rings- around The White House and elsewhere- with armed ICE agents, the National Guard, police, and tanks. To “protect” the administration so it never has to leave. So he never has to leave.
What we now see on full display, everyday, is the US military being maneuvered against its own people. Trumpers, you voted for this — against everything the humanly decent stand for: which is the protection of all people, and their rights.
So much for a party that wants to shrink government. Instead, the GOP has unilaterally amplified the presence of the federal government in ways that our country’s founders- even in their worst nightmare scenarios- likely never imagined.
The citizens of Brazil immediately rose up against facism in 2023, and in 2024 South Korea prevailed, within days, against a declaration of Martial Law.
Americans must right now to do the same.
What can you do? Well, for starters stop being silent. Suit up, show up, and speak up. In real time, against what you see happening. Call out the evil, and the insanity, that lives and breathes right now around each one of us.
Then volunteer for a campaign. Run for office. Organize in your own community. Speak out on social media. Start your own Substack.
Just do something. Now.
It will feel scary to hold others around you accountable for their actions.
But if you don’t do it- who will?
Brava, Maria!
Lovely piece!