Donald Trump, the former president, voiced thoughts of mobilizing armed forces in response to U.S. citizens opposing him during elections. In a conversation with Maria Bartiromo from Fox News, he painted a picture not of external threats, but rather the ‘enemy within’. He expressed a belief that extremists from the radical left were a serious problem, that could, if deemed necessary, be quelled by the National Guard or even the military.
His campaign was consistently marked by a dark depiction of America’s future, one where armed forces punitively handle immigrants, suppress popular dissent, and go after criminals. Trump’s choice of words has often showcased an inclination towards authoritarianism. This inclination was evident when he hinted at having dictatorial powers ‘for one day’ if chosen to lead the nation again.
At a past political gathering in Iowa, Trump expressed a commitment to use federal forces to combat crime within U.S. cities. He referred to major cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco as ‘dens of crime’, regulated by Democrats.
It was widely reported during his first term as president, that Trump was fascinated by the idea of capital punishments as a tool to handle gang activities and drug offenses. Furthermore, he suggested the possibility of deploying ‘hundreds of thousands’ of troops to secure the southern border and develop detention centers for immigrants.
Trump didn’t shy away from pondering military involvement in large-scale deportations. This, however, would likely cause immense public backlash. An expert in executive power and a Harvard Law professor predicted intense civil disobedience, and likely violence, if Trump should choose military force to control such backlash.
In private discussions among supporters, ideas were floated concerning the utilization of troops to manage potential protests and ‘riots’. Trump told Time magazine in an April interview, ‘I would certainly employ the National Guard if law enforcement was inadequate in managing’ the protests.
During his tenure as president, there were suggestions made by Trump to allow the military to shoot protesters and undocumented immigrants. According to the Insurrection Act of 1807, the President of the United States has the wide-ranging ability to deploy military personnel during crises to control civil disruptions.
A professor from Harvard Law School who is also the leader of the Presidential Reform Project spoke to NPR, expressing concern about potential misuse of the Act. In his words, ‘It’s a colossal blank check, easily prone to misuse, and it’s not difficult to foresee instances of abuse’.
Democrats, namely Sen. Richard Blumenthal and Rep. Jamie Raskin, have sought to pass laws that would reform the Insurrection Act and instill additional checks and balances. However, should Trump emerge victorious in the November elections, these legislative efforts could be rendered ineffective.
Historian Ruth Ben-Ghiat conveyed to NBC News that Trump’s proposed measures to suppress dissent mirrored tactics used by autocrats. Ben-Ghiat said that once autocrats establish their power, anything that threatens their mandate or unveils their corrupt acts becomes illegal.
She further stated that Trump’s strategies seem like a rehearsal of his potential actions as head of state. According to Ben-Ghiat, Trump’s approach parallels the actions of the autocratic leaders of Hungary, India, and Russia. Most notably, Trump has publicly expressed admiration for these leaders.
Trump’s rhetoric during his campaign set a grim prospective outlook for America, suggesting a move towards militarization and suppression of dissent. Its implications, as inferred by various experts, point to a potential shift towards a more authoritarian rule if elected for leadership again.
His proposal to leverage the military and the National Guard to quell opposition and manage immigration echoes historical instances where power centralization was used to suppress civil liberties and control public dissent.
In hindsight, calls for reforming the Insurrection Act by Democratic leaders seek to ensure checks and balances for executive power, thus preventing a possible descent towards an autocratic rule.