Protect our Cities, Resist Trump Takeovers

Trump's federal takeover of the DC police and deployment of armed National Guard troops from several Red states is both a deep affront to the people of our nation's capital and another fascist trial balloon. It's very clear that Trump is laying the groundwork for similar deployments and intrusion in other Democratic cities. And, unsurprisingly, he seems to have a particular focus on cities led by Black mayors.

Despite falling rates, crime remains a real and serious issue for people in cities and elsewhere, as does homelessness. But Trump's goal is authoritarian power and control, not public safety. His alarmist claims of “utter chaos” and declaration of a “crime emergency” are part of the long-term GOP approach. As others have amply documented, if Trump were really concerned about crime he:

• wouldn't have issued blanket pardons to more than 1,500 people charged in the deadly January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

• would restore the $800 million in violence and crime prevention grants the DOJ has withheld to force states into cooperating with federal immigration enforcement efforts.

• would invest in education and community development efforts proven to reduce crime in the long run.

• would stop the intense weaponization of the Justice Department for retribution.

Trump's takeover of the DC police is apparently “legal” for 30 days. That timeframe expires on September 10, but deployment of the National Guard is more nebulous.

As Elie Mystal of The Nation wrote recently, “Laws can't ultimately stop an authoritarian – only the people can.” That means us!

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