An occupying force

Michael Sellers, a former CIA officer:

This call was absolutely batshit crazy. It’s the straw that breaks the camel’s back for me in terms of what I’m about to say. I have been thinking about this for several days and now, after this very disturbing call with the governors (for which there are audio recordings, so there’s no doubt what he said) — I’m going to say it: I am increasingly worried that Trump is laying the groundwork to invoke the Insurrection Act 10 U.S. Code § 252 and declare martial law. This is something he has the power to do, and if he were to do it, civilian rule of law would be suspended. There are many things pointing to the idea that he is at least aware of it and trying to lay groundwork: His attempt to designate Antifa as a “terrorist” organization helps lay that groundwork. More importantly, his efforts to position the governors as incapable of keeping the peace further lays that groundwork. The law states: “Whenever the President considers that unlawful obstructions, combinations, or assemblages, or rebellion against the authority of the United States, make it impracticable to enforce the laws of the United States in any State by the ordinary course of judicial proceedings, he may call into Federal service such of the militia of any State, and use such of the armed forces, as he considers necessary to enforce those laws or to suppress the rebellion.”

Review the contents of the call with the government with that in mind: “You have to dominate or you’ll look like a bunch of jerks, you have to arrest and try people….It’s a movement, if you don’t put it down it will get worse and worse . . .The only time its successful is when you’re weak and most of you are weak.”

And this, which goes directly to the issue of martial law:

“So bad a few nights ago that the people wouldn’t have minded an occupying force . . .I wish we had an occupying force in there.”

One thing that may keep him from doing it would be the idea that it makes him look weak — that the only way he could control it was to resort to a military coup of his own government (which is what a declaration of martial law is, more or less). But I’m not at all sure that will stop him from doing it. And if he keeps fanning the flames and making it worse, all that does is heighten the likelihood that he could do it. I hope I’m wrong. I really, truly hope I’m wrong, but keep an eye on this and watch his actions with this in mind.

It’s very very scary.

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