Sofia D. | Red Phoenix correspondent | Minnesota–

Aug. 8 – Trump deployed the National Guard, FBI, DEA, and many other federal agencies to patrol the streets and intimidate the people of Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States. Trump is pursuing two main aims: first, he is trying to stoke fear and thus loyalty out of the bourgeoisie and functionaries of the bourgeoisie in government; second, he is preparing the stage for a violent takeover if he cannot secure that loyalty. The direct intimidation of immigrants, national minorities, and “radical leftists,” while perhaps a main psychological motive for Trump, cannot fully explain why the specific billionaires who give him his power have allowed this move. 

First, some context: Over the years, there have been a number of instances of direct violence against personnel of the bourgeoisie. The highest-profile were the shooting of former United Health C.E.O. Brian Thompson, and the shooting of two ambassadors to Israel. There have also been a couple of non-political crimes against government officials in Washington. Trump’s orders, officially, come as a “remedy” to the “out-of-control violent crime” in the nation’s capital, supposedly caused by Democratic leaders who have “lost control of public order and safety in the city.”

The actual implementation of the policy, however, has looked mostly like a tactic to intimidate and terrorize immigrants, the homeless, and racial minorities. This is despite the fact that the specific crimes which this order allegedly responds to are split equally between directly politically motivated terrorism and random street crime, mostly committed by youth dragged into desperate situations by poverty and insufficient social nets. Instead of devoting resources to counter-terrorism or social services, Trump has actively pulled personnel away from both departments to focus on the previously-mentioned terror against workers.

The real reason immigrants and the homeless are targeted is because they are legally, constitutionally, “free game” in Trump’s war to “Make America Great Again.” There are very few limitations or consequences for the administration for attacking these legally marginalized populations, which additionally has the effect of intimidating would-be anti-Trump activists. Attacking these populations efficiently creates an atmosphere of fear, and inspires confidence in the dyed-in-the-wool fascist section of Trump’s base, all while minimizing paperwork. 

This atmosphere of fear is advantageous to Trump by strengthening and rallying his base among the petty-bourgeoisie, in whose mind “something needs to be done,” to quote the chief of the DC Police Union Gregory Pemberton. By focusing on immigrants, the homeless, and racial minorities, Trump targets the most visible boogeymen of the petty-bourgeoisie, white-supremacists, and low-level government officials. This inspires confidence in these reactionary and chauvinist elements that the city is being “cleaned,” while the continued presence of security forces creates the impression that “danger is still present.” As in all good cults: the source of panic becomes also the source of relief. 

The more narrow-minded Democrats in Washington mainly complain that the move is based on “feelings,” which are not reflected in the “record-low crime statistics,” and that Trump’s actions skirt the bounds of constitutionality. Only the most savvy and self-preserving elements of the liberal-minded bourgeoisie, such as Chris Van Hollen, have pointed out the fact that this constitutional “takeover” of the city is merely a “dress-rehearsal” (CNN) for Trump’s hoped-for full-throated fascist takeover of the federal government at large. “This is not just about self-governance for D.C.” This hostility from Hollen, of course, does not reflect a real, deep-seated defense of the people, but rather a defense of the liberal system of working out disagreements between different corporations. Donald Trump, Peter Thiel, Elon Musk, Timothy Mellon, and their entire crew would rather administer the country directly to their benefit, which motivates their fascistic push. 

So why a dress rehearsal, and not the real thing?

 As long as Trump is able to gain and keep power constitutionally, he is happy to leave the constitution untouched. But, when the next election comes around (for which several Republican Congresspeople have already floated bills to enable Trump to run a third term), we can expect a more violent attempt to seize power than January 6th. The question is when, not if, he will make a move beyond his relatively “constitutional” gambits for power. When he does, the consequences for his “competitors” may be bloody, and without a strong workers movement and party organization, he will be completely unopposed and able to take out his profit-seeking ire on the working class. 

Sources:

Three states to deploy hundred of national guard troops to Washington DC | The Guardian

‘An intimidation tactic’: Trump’s show of force dismays Washington residents | The Guardian

Executive Order: Restoring law and order in the District of Colombia | The White House

Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump restores law and order in the District of Colombia | The White House

Trump Administration staffer known as ‘Big Balls’ assaulted in DC | Politico

Trump announces federal takeover of DC police and mobilization of the National Guard | CNN

Categories: U.S. Military, U.S. News