Trump isn’t always the soul of lucid clarity when he refers to major policy initiatives. The usual level of total incoherence is in full force.
It just so happens that he’s threatening “Chipocalypse Now” against Chicago on X. He’s posted a meme showing himself in an Apocalypse Now outfit, and says the city will find out why it’s now called the “Department of War”.
Nobody’s too clear on what this means. The governor of Illinois doesn’t seem to know what Trump is talking about, either. Apparently, this is an immigration crackdown. Or a crime crackdown. Or something. Maybe it’s a chip off the old Blockheadalypse?
This may or may not, but probably does, include calling in the National Guard again as so very unpopularly deployed in Washington.
This noisy approach to law enforcement isn’t winning much applause from anyone. Less impressive is the theory that you can use the Guard anywhere and everywhere whenever you feel like it, with or without a reason.
US states don’t like it. Illinois doesn’t like the idea, let alone anything in practice. Illinois is a state, not a territory like DC, with state’s rights.
The effectiveness of the Guard is highly questionable. The National Guard isn’t a first responder criminal law enforcement agency, to start with.
Exactly how these deployments are assessed and assigned doesn’t yet seem to have any system. Also, apparently on the list for National Guard deployment is Portland, Oregon, for no obvious reason. What do DC. Chicago, and Portland have in common?
This is all incredibly expensive, costing millions per day. Actual deportations are fewer than under the Biden administration last year. The processes of deportation are also of highly debatable legality. Courts have been blocking deportations all year.
The sheer scope and scale of constant legal challenges and rebuttals to this administration is epic. It only takes one successful challenge to bring down the whole house of cards, I mean, executive orders.
The United States is made up of 50 individual states. The Federal government isn’t the only show in town. The states can and inevitably will stand up for themselves.
Meanwhile, the overall image is fading badly. As a PR stunt, the National Guard deployments don’t work at all, whatever the context. They didn’t work in LA or Washington. Information about actual voter approval is equivocal, to say the least. The protests and discontent are universal.
Nothing is actually being achieved for all the drama.
The only other question is how long this expensive, ineffectual fantasy can continue.
______________________________________________
Disclaimer
The opinions expressed in this Op-Ed are those of the author. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the Digital Journal or its members.
