Wow, this must have come after Trump's call with Putin! Criminalizing protest is always high on the agenda. But unconstitutional or not, this "tough" message can resonate with the right people in the right places.
Trump is a coward and a fool, but if the violence isn't brought under control quickly, his ability to outrage and stoke fear will make it sound like violence is the only solution in a vacuum.
Proposing or doing something evil or impossible is often perceived as better than proposing nothing. And if more people are afraid of looting and destruction than of the original injustice that sparked it, it's effective.
And if you think promising safety to a majority is a less effective message than promising justice to a minority, I've got some bad news based on personal experience for you.
