Trump Tyranny Tracker: Your Daily Reminder
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When: June 1, 2020
Background
On June 1, 2020, amidst widespread nationwide protests against police brutality, a significant chilling event unfolded in Washington D.C. The area surrounding St. John's Church and Lafayette Park, filled with peaceful demonstrators protesting against police brutality, was abruptly cleared by U.S. Park Police and National Guard troops using tear gas, pellets, and low-flying helicopters. The reason for this sudden action was initially unclear but soon became apparent. Trump made his way from the White House, through the park, to the Episcopal church for a photo op to hold the Bible, upside down. Accompanied by his daughter Ivanka, her husband Jared Kushner, Attorney General William Barr, and military officials, Trump moved through the area while camera crews documented the surreal spectacle. This happened after Trump declared himself "your president of law and order" and advocated for military deployment against U.S. citizens to quell protests. The bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington sharply criticized Trump for his staged visit to the historic St. John's Church across from the White House. These dictator tactics sparked widespread criticism, including from religious leaders and former military officials, raising concerns over the use of military force against civilians and the intertwining of military actions with political agendas.
In 2021, an inspector general's report shed light on some aspects of the event but left key questions unanswered and did not fully address whether the actions taken were necessary or if Trump influenced the decision-making process. Additionally, the report focused solely on the U.S. Park Police and did not examine the involvement of other agencies like the Secret Service or then-Attorney General Bill Barr, leaving a gap in understanding the complete motives behind the aggressive clearing of protesters.
James Mattis wrote “When I joined the military, some 50 years ago, I swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution,” Mattis added. “Never did I dream that troops taking that same oath would be ordered under any circumstance to violate the Constitutional rights of their fellow citizens—much less to provide a bizarre photo op for the elected commander-in-chief, with military leadership standing alongside.”
Here is What Happened…
Forcible Clearance of Protesters: U.S. Park Police and National Guard used tear gas and concussion grenades to disperse peaceful protesters at Lafayette Square.
Trump's Photo Op at St. John's Church: Immediately following the clearance, Trump, surrounded by senior military officials and the Attorney General, walked through the area to St. John's Church, holding up a Bible upside down.
Criticism from Religious and Military Leaders: Episcopal Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde and former Defense Secretary James Mattis, among others, publicly condemned the actions, highlighting the misuse of sacred symbols and the military for political purposes.
Apologies and Rebukes: General Mark A. Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, shortly after expressed regret for his involvement, emphasizing the military's non-partisan commitment to the Constitution.
“My presence in that moment and in that environment created a perception of the military involved in domestic politics,” Milley said. “As a commissioned uniformed officer, it was a mistake that I have learned from, and I sincerely hope we all can learn from it.”
Why It Matters…
Trump’s use of the military for a photo opportunity and the aggressive dispersal of peaceful protesters represented a dangerous convergence of military power with political objectives, undermining democratic principles and the right to peaceful assembly. Such actions pose significant threats to civil liberties, risk escalating violence against civilians, and damage the credibility and neutrality of military institutions. Moreover, the involvement of high-ranking military officials in political acts raised alarms about the erosion of the apolitical stance that is foundational to the military's role in a democracy and in maintaining public confidence in institutions. As seen in this instance, the intertwining of military operations with political motives echoed tactics often used by dictators to consolidate power and quash opposition. Such actions not only undermine democratic principles but also echo Trump's authoritarian tendencies, posing a grave threat to democracy.