Sidney Blumenthal on Trump's Use of Military Power to Intimidate Voters and Undermine Elections

Erasing the Line Between Politics and Military

• 💡 President Trump is accused of erasing the line between the military and American politics, drawing parallels to Lord Nelson.
• ⚠️ This is seen as a constitutional problem, with Trump using federal powers to intimidate specific voter groups.
• 🎯 The deployment of the National Guard in cities is described as having no impact on crime and appearing aimless.

Voter Intimidation Tactics

• 📌 Trump's administration is reportedly monitoring elections in states like California and New Jersey by sending federal marshals to Hispanic counties.
• 🚫 The stated purpose of this "election monitoring" is to intimidate voters, particularly minority and Hispanic voters, by creating fear of arrest or harassment.
• 📈 This strategy is predicted to be a losing one, potentially intensifying democratic turnout in response.

Military Posturing and Authoritarian Tendencies

• 🚀 Trump's military posturing has become more pronounced, with a comfort level seen in interactions with authoritarian leaders.
• 🚢 Unlawful attacks on boats in the Caribbean, claimed to be carrying fentanyl, are cited as an example of Trump using the military outside of US waters.
• 🏛️ Tensions exist within civil-military relations, with the senior officer corps reportedly disagreeing with Trump's strategic defense review.

White House Renovation and Symbolism

• 🎨 The planned renovation of the White House East Wing to build a large ballroom is seen as a symbol of dictatorial impulses and lawlessness.
• 👑 This mirrors Trump's taste for opulent settings associated with Eastern European or Middle Eastern rulers, contrary to the White House's historical symmetry.

Election Integrity and Redistricting Battles

• ⚖️ Trump's talk of invoking the Insurrection Act to assume martial law is discussed, though it requires Congressional and court approval.
• 🗳️ There is a possibility of indecisive or close election results, with Trump potentially urging Republican officials to seize ballot boxes or refuse to certify results, echoing his actions leading to January 6th.
• 🗺️ Redistricting battles are escalating across states like Texas, California, Illinois, North Carolina, and Virginia, driven by partisan interests and potentially influenced by a Supreme Court decision on the Voting Rights Act.