Halls of Shrewd'm / US Policy
No. of Recommendations: 12
Last September, Donald Trump issued a presidential directive called NSPM-7 ordering the Justice Department to investigate left-wing activists and organizations as domestic terrorists.
Their latest NSPM-7 prosecution might just be their most Orwellian.
Last week, the Justice Department charged 15 anti-ICE protesters in Minneapolis with “conspiracy to impede or injure federal officers” — despite the fact that the indictment lists no federal officer injuries.
So what exactly did these protesters do wrong, according to the government? They went to a Democratic Socialists of America meeting.
We’re not kidding. That’s literally in the indictment. Other so-called evidence of “conspiracy” cited by the government includes activists having a bullhorn, carrying a radio, tracking the license plate numbers of ICE vehicles, wearing a sweatshirt and hat with left-wing political messages, and using a devil emoji in a Signal chat.
The Intercept
No. of Recommendations: 1
albaby1, who I greatly respect, might want to rethink what he believes Trump is not capable of doing.
Last September, Donald Trump issued a presidential directive called NSPM-7 ordering the Justice Department to investigate left-wing activists and organizations as domestic terrorists.
Their latest NSPM-7 prosecution might just be their most Orwellian.
Last week, the Justice Department charged 15 anti-ICE protesters in Minneapolis with “conspiracy to impede or injure federal officers” — despite the fact that the indictment lists no federal officer injuries.
So what exactly did these protesters do wrong, according to the government? They went to a Democratic Socialists of America meeting.
We’re not kidding. That’s literally in the indictment. Other so-called evidence of “conspiracy” cited by the government includes activists having a bullhorn, carrying a radio, tracking the license plate numbers of ICE vehicles, wearing a sweatshirt and hat with left-wing political messages, and using a devil emoji in a Signal chat.
No. of Recommendations: 2
Ges-
Albaby has no trouble acknowledging what Trump TRIES to do.
And in this case, I have to believe that he is correct. No court is going to convict these Minnesotans- they are basically evidence free prosecutions. But they are emblematic of the lawless ways of MAGA.
But Trump is not anything if not persistent- and his henchmen are even more so. Each day that passes sees more loyalists replacing competent administrators, military leaders and election workers.
At this point it’s a race between holding the line and the tipping point into full autocratic rule.
Albaby says the line will hold and I sure hope he’s right. There are signs that the MAGA fever is breaking.
But I’m following the advice from my old ju-jitsu instructor:
“If you get up from the floor and your opponent is still moving, you did something wrong.”
No. of Recommendations: 1
“If you get up from the floor and your opponent is still moving, you did something wrong.”
Great advice.**
I suspect that during pre-trial motions that all these charges will be summarily dismissed. Attending a meeting is free speech and freedom of association/assembly.
Each day that passes sees more loyalists replacing competent administrators, military leaders and election workers.
I worry about that also. If everyone is a loyalist, then no one can or will stop the Felon.
**Always irritates me in movies or shows where someone whacks a guy over the head and then runs...no, you beat them bloody, or else they will get up and chase you.
No. of Recommendations: 8
These arrests will lead to show trials which serve to warn others that they too can be put through an expensive and worrisome spectacle. They also do more to destroy the reputation and "presumed regularity" of the DOJ. For Trump that may be a bigger win than the trumped up charges against the accused that will be dismissed.
No. of Recommendations: 2
Their latest NSPM-7 prosecution might just be their most Orwellian.This might be a good time to review what the NSPM-7 regards as prosecutable behavior:
Common threads animating this violent conduct include anti-Americanism, anti-capitalism, and anti-Christianity; support for the overthrow of the United States Government; extremism on migration, race, and gender; and hostility towards those who hold traditional American views on family, religion, and morality. https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/20...So, in a supposedly secular republic, it is a crime to diverge from reactionary Christian dogma, or shun people who promote reactionary Christian dogma, or any sort of bigotry dressed up as "traditional American values".
Steve
