A Rolling Stone reporter alleges that former President Donald Trump harbors a desire for police forces akin to violent "death squads" to combat crime.
In a thought-provoking article for Rolling Stone, senior political reporter Asawin Suebsaeng delves into former President Trump's perceived inclination towards empowering police with extreme violence, akin to the notorious "death squads" employed in dictatorial regimes.
Suebsaeng's assertion stems from Trump's recent remarks at a Pennsylvania rally, where he suggested that a brief yet decisive burst of aggressive law enforcement could drastically reduce crime. While acknowledging that the likelihood of literal death squads emerging in America is slim, Suebsaeng emphasizes the significance of Trump's aspirations to replicate such iron-fisted tactics.
Trump's Aspiration for "American Death Squads
According to White House insiders, Trump frequently expressed his desire for police to engage in relentless crackdowns on criminals, envisioning piles of bodies in the streets as a chilling deterrent. These outbursts prompted some administration officials to label his ideas as "American death squads," influenced by his admiration for Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's brutal anti-drug campaign.
Suebsaeng highlights a pattern of Trump's threats to withhold federal funding from jurisdictions deemed insufficiently "pro-cop." He also alleges that Trump considered using his pardon powers to exonerate officers facing federal charges.
Trump's Aspiration for "American Death Squads
Trump's campaign spokesman, Steven Cheung, countered these claims, emphasizing the former president's commitment to law and order and contrasting his stance with Vice President Kamala Harris' perceived leniency towards criminals.
Suebsaeng's analysis extends beyond Trump's rhetoric, exploring his efforts to strengthen the Department of Justice and the executive branch to empower police forces. He cites Trump's consideration of a Justice Department task force dedicated to prosecuting alleged police bias as an example of his desire to shield officers from accountability.
Trump's Aspiration for "American Death Squads
The reporter emphasizes that Trump's vision of policing goes beyond conventional crime-fighting tactics. He seeks a force capable of instilling fear and maintaining social control through unrestrained violence. While such extreme measures may not materialize, Suebsaeng cautions that even the pursuit of such goals represents a dangerous deviation from democratic principles.
As the former president prepares for a potential second term, his past statements and alleged plans raise concerns about the future of policing in America. Suebsaeng's article serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of embracing authoritarian tendencies and the need to safeguard civil liberties in the face of such aspirations.
Trump's Aspiration for "American Death Squads
