Victor Davis Hanson on 'Insurrection Chic': Democrats Undermining Federal Authority

The Rise of 'Insurrection Chic'

• 💡 Victor Davis Hanson introduces the concept of "Insurrection Chic," describing a trend on the left to undermine the jurisdiction of the federal government.
• 🎭 This is framed as ironic, given the left's past lectures on insurrection, while current actions are deemed "quite scary."

Historical Parallels to Nullification

• 🏛️ Hanson draws parallels to historical figures like Jefferson Davis, who ordered the firing on Fort Sumter, and George Wallace's defiance of federal desegregation laws.
• 🎬 The 1964 movie "Seven Days in May" is referenced, depicting an officer nullifying presidential directives and attempting to overthrow the government.

Undermining Military Orders

• 🎖️ A recent instance involved Democratic Congresspeople and Senators addressing soldiers, suggesting they have the right to disobey unlawful orders.
• ❓ Hanson questions the purpose of this, noting the lack of specific examples of illegal orders and the potential to undermine military discipline under Articles 90 and 92 of the UCMJ.
• ⚠️ Retired military officers are also cited for disparaging the president, violating the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

Localized Defiance of Federal Law

• 🏙️ Hanson highlights "blue cities and states" where federal law is allegedly not applied, comparing it to neo-Confederate nullification.
• 🚫 Examples include mayors in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, and officials in California, who have expressed intent to disregard or obstruct federal laws, particularly concerning immigration.
• 🚨 The Chicago police force's alleged refusal to aid ICE agents is presented as a concrete example of this defiance.

The Left's Agenda and Motivation

• 📉 Hanson suggests this trend stems from the left's perceived lack of power in the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
• 📢 The agenda is described as one that "most people do not want," leading to tactics like protests, violence, and now, the nullification of federal laws.
• ⚖️ The Constitution's supremacy of federal law over state and local laws is emphasized, warning that this trend could lead back to a situation like 1861.