Looking into the Mirror
The reflection should be concerning
A nation whose people allow masked gunmen to violate the rights of the people has crossed over into authoritarianism. If a person dresses like a criminal, acts like a criminal, and violates the Constitution, they may indeed be a criminal.
Not knowing the law does not excuse someone from breaking the law. Drive a vehicle at 60 miles an hour in a 25-mile-an-hour zone and then tell the police officer that you should not be held accountable because you didn’t know the speed limit. Tell the judge that you did not realize robbing a bank was illegal. Following orders does not relieve you of the duty to obey the laws of the land. That was what the Nuremberg Trials were all about, and it became clear to the world that following orders is no excuse for criminal activity. Trump has led Republicans and Independent conservatives across the line into authoritarianism by violating the IV, IX, and XIV Amendments to the Constitution of the United States. The missions of the Constitution were disregarded by conservatives decades ago. Guns and religion appeared to be the only parts of the Constitution worthy of their attention.
Broken: The Fourth Amendment allows people to be “secure in the persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures” … and “no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.” The Trump administration has shown a willingness to violate the Fourth Amendment. Conservatives remain silent. They have shown public support for the hunting down and prosecution of law-abiding people based on the color of their skin.
Broken: The Ninth Amendment clearly states that the “enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.” The word people refers to citizens and noncitizens. The Constitution was not written solely for citizens but for all people on our soil. Every individual has unalienable rights. The Constitution states “We the People” not We the Citizens.
Broken: The Fourteenth Amendment states no person shall be deprived “of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law” … and all citizens within a state are promised “equal protection of the laws”. Immigrants have Constitutional rights.
Since becoming President, Donald Trump has shown his disdain for the Constitution of the United States. He has complained that the Constitution limits him. I suspect he may be recorded in history as the Jim Jones of American democracy. He will destroy a nation to maintain his influence. A convicted felon, sexual predator, and a man who prefers underage children has led a movement of Christian Nationalists, political conservatives, and MAGA believers into making a mockery of the Constitution of the United States of America. And as of the writing, he called for the execution of politicians who are former military and intelligence officers. Their crime is that they are asking American military personnel to uphold their oath to the Constitution.