This #SundayMorning we're wondering why the Trump administration chose to launch Operation Legend. What's the real intent behind the authoritarian crackdown?
Spoiler: I think Trump and his team made a YUGE miscalculation. Let me explain why.
(THREAD)
Spoiler: I think Trump and his team made a YUGE miscalculation. Let me explain why.
(THREAD)
(2) According to Barr, Operation Legend was launched in response to a surge of violent crime across the country. Has there been a surge? Technically, yes.
But that surge, mostly overblown, is likely caused by rising unemployment & the pandemic.
sfchronicle.com/crime/article/…
But that surge, mostly overblown, is likely caused by rising unemployment & the pandemic.
sfchronicle.com/crime/article/…
(3) Historically, surges in both property crime and some violent crimes can be attributed to unemployment and economic inequality.
Essentially, Trump has created a problem and now is playing "fixer" by stomping in with his big fascist boots.
journals.uchicago.edu/doi/abs/10.108…
Essentially, Trump has created a problem and now is playing "fixer" by stomping in with his big fascist boots.
journals.uchicago.edu/doi/abs/10.108…
(4) Why is Trump working so hard to portray American cities as violent? Ah. Here's where we get to the point.
Trump is losing the suburbs, so he's trying to scare the crap out of the white people by stoking racial divisions and fear of their neighbors.
politico.com/news/2020/07/2…
Trump is losing the suburbs, so he's trying to scare the crap out of the white people by stoking racial divisions and fear of their neighbors.
politico.com/news/2020/07/2…
(5) Just look at the cities he's targeting, specifically places like Chicago and Cleveland.
Trump is in big trouble in the suburbs in Ohio, largely because of unemployment and his truly awful handling of the pandemic.
abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireS…
Trump is in big trouble in the suburbs in Ohio, largely because of unemployment and his truly awful handling of the pandemic.
abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireS…
(6) So what's a loser with authoritarian tendencies to do? Fall back on the GOP weapon of choice. Fear and racism. Make cities look like hotbeds of tension & violence and then frame his feds as saviors in camo.
This approach is backfiring for 3 reasons.
news5cleveland.com/news/local-new…
This approach is backfiring for 3 reasons.
news5cleveland.com/news/local-new…
(7) Local law enforcement isn't happy with federal forces swooping in to undermine their efforts to improve policing in those communities.
It also places officers at risk. They need to work these streets long after feds pack up their munitions & go home.
It also places officers at risk. They need to work these streets long after feds pack up their munitions & go home.
(8) Secondly, the coverage isn't framed as feds preventing violent crime. The footage that is dominating the media is the images that make America's cities look like occupied territory.
It's of Trump deploying secret police to terrorize his own citizens.
businessinsider.com/trump-portland…
It's of Trump deploying secret police to terrorize his own citizens.
businessinsider.com/trump-portland…
(9) Thirdly and perhaps most importantly, the suburbs aren't what Trump thinks they are. Not anymore.
The folks who populate the suburbs these days are more diverse and they increasingly identify with their urban neighbors.
npr.org/2020/07/26/895…
The folks who populate the suburbs these days are more diverse and they increasingly identify with their urban neighbors.
npr.org/2020/07/26/895…
(10) Not only will Operation Legend backfire, it'll worsen Trump's numbers in swing states. Because those on the front lines of protests aren't urban minorities. They are suburban moms. And they're pissed.
Trump's lost the suburbs & Operation Legend is evidence that he knows it.
Trump's lost the suburbs & Operation Legend is evidence that he knows it.
(END) Thanks to @MajikaZulJin for the #SundayMorning thread suggestion. Come back next week and we'll do this again.
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patreon.com/kazweida
