What does the president gain from injecting himself to this? All I see are landmines in this situation. If he sends the national guard and one of them kills a person or people, then its directly linked to him. By saying and highlighting the word THUGS now it directly links him to this situation in a negative way. I felt that he was navigating this better before when he was existing peripherally.
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Most Americans aren't triggered by the word "thugs" when it is invoked to describe those rioting, looting and committing arson. The backbone of the country supports law and order. That the far left reacts negatively to it is irrelevant.
does it just give more ammo to the left during this insanely negative time?
Probably, but innocent people are being put in harms way, property is being looted and destroyed, and lives are being destroyed. Just because the optics are bad doesn't mean something shouldn't be done.
I think sending the message that he will call it like it is and not cater to the p.c. crowd may be stronger than avoidance for the undecided. (Also, he's Donald friggin' Trump! When has he ever sat on the sidelines?)
its not sitting on the sidelines, i liked his approach of getting the FBI and DOJ involved and then waiting it out
Personally, I agree, but I think by being strong and vocal he will project a kind of leadership that will be a stark contrast to all the weak voices out there.
He's president probably wanted the state to handle it, but feels like he needs to step in (or needs to be prepared to step in) because the whole situation isnt handled well. The thugs thing is fine imo. This isnt the firsg time a president has referred to looters and arsonists as thugs and by definition it's thug behavior. The "start looting, start shooting" will be the next "very fine people" hoax which I dont think was the best thing to tweet.
Actually, there's historical precedent for such a warning. After the death of Dr.King Mayor Richard J. Daley of Chicago (The Old Man, not the son) declared rioters and arsonists to be "potential murderers" and issued a "shoot to kill" and "shoot to maim" order to the Chicago Police Department. The rioting stopped shortly thereafter because it was known that Daley meant what he ordered.
The key here is weighing the "potential" of what arson and random street violence can do to innocent citizens against lawful police action against rioting thugs.
Make no mistake --.they are thugs. The PC culture has long played with the minds of people trying to convince them that such behavior is acceptable. It isn't. We have laws. We have courts. And whether they like it or not we are all subject to obey them.
Those who disagree with the concept of law (anarchists) would hate anything Trump said no matter what it was. Those who agree are already law abiding citizens.
What does he have to gain? How about America not burning?
I'm so tired of postponing or even abandoning justice for optics.
Trump ran a campaign on the rule of law and it's not just that cities be left to burn. Do what's right because it's what's right.
we also have 50 states. If minnesota decides to burn, its no skin off my bback
Good thing you're not the president then