What is this world coming to? Trump made a statement that is mind-boggling. Never, ever thought we’d see a day when this would happen. Is he just CYA, trying to save face, or what? Who substituted a president with brains for ‘our’ orange behemoth? This certainly isn’t the person we love to hate. With gratitude to Raw Story:
Donald Trump on Saturday unleashed a nearly 500-word missive on Truth Social, “instructing” Kristi Noem to back off of Dem cities “unless they ask us for help.” Taking to Truth Social, the president wrote, “I have instructed Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, that under no circumstances are we going to participate in various poorly run Democrat Cities with regard to their Protests and/or Riots unless, and until, they ask us for help.” He then added, “We will, however, guard, and very powerfully so, any and all Federal Buildings that are being attacked by these highly paid Lunatics, Agitators, and Insurrectionists. Please be aware that I have instructed ICE and/or Border Patrol to be very forceful in the protection of Federal Government Property.”
Huh. It’s definitely new and different. The problem is what about cities that *aren’t* blue? Is he going to surge more ICE/CBP moronic thugs somewhere else? That’s not a good thought, no, not at all. Other places may hate the bullies just as much as we do. There have been ICE Out protests in a bunch of places that could be considered red. So … Trump says he’s abandoning blue cities, but said nothing about getting the hooligans under control. Our police forces will do just fine at handling these sorts of things if ICE isn’t around pissing off people.
Going further, Trump wrote, “In the meantime, by copy of this Statement, I am informing Local Governments, as I did in Los Angeles when they were rioting at the end of the Biden Term, that you must protect your own State and Local Property. In addition, it is your obligation to also protect our Federal Property, Buildings, Parks, and everything else. We are there to protect Federal Property, only as a backup, in that it is Local and State Responsibility to do so.” He also stated, “Last night in Eugene, Oregon, these criminals broke into a Federal Building, and did great damage, also scaring and harassing the hardworking employees. Local Police did nothing in order to stop it. We will not let that happen anymore!
Okay, so there’s more to the Eugene story than he lets on. There were protestors. They did break into a federal building. But *some* of the protestors got carried away, not all. That’s what turned it into a ‘riot’. The officers de-escalated the situation, and all is well. The article didn’t say anyone was injured. There are always a few who get out of hand, no matter how much the protestors are told to stay peaceful. They have to ruin it for the rest of us who are *behaving*. One of these days, protestors are going to jump on the idiots who are making a mess. Let’s hope it doesn’t turn into an actual riot because that’s not necessary and not cool.
The president then concluded, “Therefore, to all complaining Local Governments, Governors, and Mayors, let us know when you are ready, and we will be there — But, before we do so, you must use the word, ‘PLEASE.’ Remember that I stated, in the strongest of language, to BEWARE — ICE, Border Patrol, or, if necessary, our Military, will be extremely powerful and tough in the protection of our Federal Property. We will not allow our Courthouses, Federal Buildings, or anything else under our protection, to be damaged in any way, shape, or form. I was elected on a Policy of Border Control (which has now been perfected!), National Security, and LAW AND ORDER — That’s what America wants, and that’s what America is getting! Thank you for your attention to this matter.”.
Blah, blah, blah. Yea, yea, yea. We heard him the first time and all the gazillion times before now. He just loves the sound of his own voice (or his own thumbs *snerk*). But he’s apparently pulling out of Blue Cities. We’ll believe it *IF* it happens. Not holding my breath here. If nothing else, DAMN does Minneapolis need a break.
Friends, I know everyone begs you for money. I promise that among all those asking for spare change, we are the smallest and the hardest-working. We’re a group of old, disabled people, except for one writer in his mid-50s. The rest of us are in our sixties and seventies, and this is a labor of love. All we’re asking for is the chance to keep telling the truth about Trump and help ensure democracy survives. If you can help, please do. Thank you. Ursula
IF he follows through, this could be the off-ramp I’m sure a lot of Republicans are praying for. Even if a petulant ‘Don’t come crying to me’ vibe is the takeaway. Just reducing ICE presence in Minneapolis to a few hundred would settle things down. If Walz or other Governors deployed National Guard troops, rotating units to provide security around ICE offices and federal buildings AND ICE agents returned to the old, low-key methods things would defuse to a large degree.
It would mean abandoning the attempt to provoke an incident that would give Trump an excuse to invoke the Insurrection Act. However given how judges are increasingly raking Bondi and the DOJ over the coals and a SCOTUS that (other than Thomas and Alito) is starting to show signs of thinking they gave Trump way too much leeway with the immunity for “Official Acts” ruling Susie Wiles might have convinced Trump that he’s not going to get what he wants. At least by continuing to do what they’ve been doing.
Miller and others of course will fight like hell to ramp things UP but DHS and ICE is as I wrote yesterday going to be getting a lot of attention in the next couple of weeks. I think the amendment to re-direct a big chunk of the money ICE got last year back to Medicaid will come up again. Only two GOPers joined with us as it went down 49-51 last week. However it seems possible Tillis is out of fucks to give and may join in meaning Vance would have to come in to break a tie. Rand Paul might, if only to piss Trump off join the effort too. Hawley in Missouri is running as scared as he did after the riot started on Jan. 6 as his state will get fucked from the Medicaid cuts in the coming year. If we can get to 52, I think a few other GOPers might join in. It would put Johnson in a helluva fix over in the House.
Trump can diffuse a lot of the pressure IF he follows through and makes good on his “threat” which is really a capitulation but if his ego needs to avoid the loser label by playing tough guy I for one can live with it.
Next step: Trump sends some foot soldiers (ICE/Proud Boys) to plant some pipe bombs at federal buildings in blue cities.
Mr. President,
I am devastated. We have been so looking forward to the vast improvements that ICE and MAGA always bring with them. The new sense of confidence, of security, of the real American spirit. I don’t know if I can stand this immigrant-rapist-ridden shithole of a city much longer. I may have to move to Florida. Please reconsider.
I.M.N. Idiot.
…..someone just planted their tongue in cheek so far it’s poking out of their ear…..
“”Let’s hope it doesn’t turn into an actual riot because that’s not necessary and not cool.” Certainly not necessary but “not cool” is too weak. Anything close to “jumping on the idiots” should be quashed. As Trump/Miller get more desperate even the blood from a cut finger will be deemed to have been shed for the cause and will be enough to trigger casus belli/full on interference with the mid-terms.