In anticipation of No Kings Day tomorrow, here are some thoughts:
Based on its recent statements and actions, the current administration of the United States is not edging toward authoritarianism. Rather, it truly believes that it has already achieved authoritarianism.
The First Amendment (the right to speech and public assembly) is there in the U.S. Constitution, as plain as day. But that right (or any right, for that matter) is only meaningful if it can be safely asserted.
This administration has made it very clear that it will mis-label any peaceful assembly for the purposes of political speech as public violence, as impeding government function, as rioting, as destruction of property, or as whatever label is required to discredit the U.S. citizens involved.
No matter how peaceful the reality on the ground, tomorrow’s nationwide protests will be shown on Fox News and on right wing social media as violent affairs, and as attempts to overthrow the government.
If this administration needs to hire thugs to create that illusion, it will do so. We know this because we have already seen that this administration has never shown any ethical restraints in its efforts to mold public perceptions.
Which leads to another point. After the administration has created the false sense that tomorrow’s peaceful protests are some sort of rebellion, it will use that as a pretext to justify ignoring any relevant rulings by our Judiciary, all in the name of “national security”.
I would love to be wrong about any or all of this!