There are many factors, but several come to mind:
1. Collective narcissism
2. Moral authority
3. Dehumanization
4. Self-preservation/defense of self
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1. Collective narcissism
2. Moral authority
3. Dehumanization
4. Self-preservation/defense of self
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Portions of a thread on Collective Narcissism and moral authority: 2/
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Portions of a thread analyzing the effect that power/authority has on followers: 8/
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When the streets were cleared so Trump could have the photo op in front of the church, it was an attempt to create moral authority....10/
....because.....:11/
As far as the self-defense/defense of self....it's obvious on the surface, but there are parallels to journalists who initially endeavored to objectively "keep the peace", but eventually lose that objectivity & become combatants in informational warfare:12/
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In the case of some of the police, their ability to remain objective/rational, and to keep the peace has been compromised by their fear of potentially or actually experiencing hostility/violence towards them.....which creates a bunker, "us or them" mentality. 16/
For others, they are "authoritarian followers" who are drawn to professions that are highly "regimented", and/or exert regimentation or "control"...which I analyze in this thread about Trump/Barr, and authoritarianism: 17/:
....and who are drawn to gravitational pull of wannabe authoritarian strongmen: 18/
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