Insurrection Act - Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association

MAGA leaders call for the troops to keep Trump in office

Tina NGuyen — Sat, 19 Dec 2020 23:43:40 +0000

A growing call to invoke the Insurrection Act shows how hard-edged MAGA ideology has become in the wake of Trump’s election loss.

The Insurrection Act has gained popularity among the far-right fringes, mainly as a way for President Donald Trump to solve all their problems. | Spencer Platt/Getty Images

An 1807 law invoked only in the most violent circumstances is now a rallying cry for the MAGA-ites most committed to the fantasy that Donald Trump will never leave office.

The law, the Insurrection Act, allows the president to deploy troops to suppress domestic uprisings — not to overturn elections.

But that hasn’t stopped the act from becoming a buzzword and cure-all for prominent MAGA figures like Sidney Powell and Lin Wood, two prominent pro-Trump attorneys leading efforts to overturn the 2020 election, and even one North Carolina state lawmaker. Others like Michael Flynn, Trump’s first national security adviser who was recently pardoned for lying to the FBI, have made adjacent calls for Trump to impose martial law. The ideas have circulated in pro-Trump outlets and were being discussed over the weekend among the thousands of MAGA protesters who descended on state capitols and the Supreme Court to falsely claim Trump had won the election.

At its core, the Insurrection Act gives the president authority to send military and National Guard troops to quell local rebellions and violence, offering an exemption to prohibitions against using military personnel to enforce domestic laws. Historically, it has been used in moments of extreme national strife — the Civil War, the rise of the Ku Klux Klan, violent labor disputes, desegregation battles, rioting following Martin Luther King Jr.’s death.

Only once, however, has it been used in the wake of an election — and that was to stop a literal militia from seizing the Louisiana government on behalf of John McEnery, a former Confederate officer who had lost the 1872 governor’s race.

Nonetheless, in the minds of some authoritarian-leaning and conspiracy-minded Trump supporters, the Insurrection Act has become a needed step to prevent President-elect Joe Biden from assuming the presidency. Their evidence-deficient reasoning: Democrats illegally rigged the election and are attempting a coup, and Trump must send in the troops to undo this conspiracy.

The conviction shows how hard-edged MAGA ideology has become in the wake of Trump’s election loss. While scattered theories about a “deep state” arrayed against Trump have long circulated in MAGA circles, calls for troops to stop a democratically elected president from taking office have taken those ideas to a more conspiratorial and militaristic level. It also displays the exalted level to which Trump has been elevated among his most zealous fans as his departure looms.

“The central theme here is that there supposedly exists a network of nefarious actors trying to undermine Trump and destroy the United States, and that this is a tool that Trump could use to save the day,” said Jared Holt, a research fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensics Research Lab, who focuses on far-right extremism.

The Insurrection Act has been rarely invoked since the civil unrest of the 1960s — the last time was to quell violence during the 1992 Los Angeles riots. And when it has been used over that period, it was always at the request of a state governor.

But over the past several years, it has gained popularity among the far-right fringes, mainly as a way for Trump to solve all their problems, from expelling undocumented migrants, to arresting generals and other “deep state” actors for allegedly plotting coups against Trump.

The idea has also become intertwined with the QAnon movement, the far-reaching and baseless conspiracy that Trump is secretly working to disrupt a cabal of pedophiliac, sex trafficking Democrats and global elite.

In May, a Q-drop — the name for the mysterious missives allegedly from a person at the center of the QAnon movement — floated the Insurrection Act for the first time as a way to solve “growing unrest” after George Floyd was killed by Minnesota police. “Call the ball,” Q said mysteriously.

Then, in June, GOP Sen. Tom Cotton brought the idea of the Insurrection Act into the national dialogue with a New York Times op-ed that called on Trump to invoke the law in response to rioting that was occurring amid largely peaceful protests over racial justice. Trump himself leaned into the idea, suggesting to a rally audience that he would use the act to put down “leftist thugs” protesting that summer.

From there, the Insurrection Act became a quick fix to everything among the more extreme MAGA figures.

Trump ally and convicted political operative Roger Stone brought it up on Infowars as a way for Trump to combat anything from coups to protests to election fraud.

“The president’s authority is the Insurrection Act and his ability to declare martial law,” he told host and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones. Stone added that Trump could also use the law to arrest anyone from Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg for election interference, to Democratic power couple Bill and Hillary Clinton — an interpretation that legal experts say strains credulity.

Jimmy Gurulé, a former Justice Department prosecutor now teaching at Notre Dame Law School, called the argument tenuous. While the Insurrection Act can be legally invoked as a response to a “conspiracy” that hinders people’s rights, there must actually be a conspiracy to justify sending in federal troops over the objection of local and state officials.

“I think that the key here is, ‘Well, what the hell is that conspiracy?’” he said. “No one can articulate the participants in the conspiracy, the scope of the conspiracy, the object of the conspiracy. It’s all over the place.”

Still, Trump himself seemed keen to the idea, telling Fox News host Jeanine Pirro that he would “put down [anti-Trump protests] very quickly” if they broke out after the election: “Look, it’s called insurrection. We just send in and we do it very easy.”

Further out on the MAGA fringe, Trump supporters suggested the president jump the gun and simply arrest everyone — before the election.

And now, with the Electoral College confirming Biden’s win, recounts failing to change the results and courts at every level swatting down lawsuits challenging the outcome, some MAGA figures have latched on to the specific Insurrection Act clause granting the president authority to use the military to quash a “rebellion against the authority of the United States.” In their strained interpretation, the clause gives Trump the power to go after the Democrats and deep state actors conspiring to remove him from office. It’s a reading of the law experts immediately rejected.

“When you’re talking about a group of conspiracy theorists, and others who lack any kind of legal knowledge, they’ll just pull that arrow out of their quiver when the rest don’t work,” said Brian Levin, executive director of the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University, San Bernardino.

It seems nearly impossible Trump would actually invoke the law in this manner. But that hasn’t stopped prominent Trump supporters like Wood, one of the lawyers pushing unsubstantiated lawsuits through the courts, from suggesting Trump send the military into Georgia to break up a meeting of electors.

And over the weekend, after the Supreme Court rejected a Trump-boosted lawsuit from Texas asking to overturn the election results in four other swing states, MAGA supporters took to the streets to demand, among other things, that Trump use the Insurrection Act to force an election do-over, or at the very least, stop Biden from taking office.

The Epoch Times itself ran an editorial on Monday arguing that it was time for Trump to invoke the act and send in the military to seize thousands of voting machines in order to find fraud: “Our system is in crisis. Trump would act to restore the rule of law.”

Gurulé, the former DOJ prosecutor, pointed out that even if Trump tried to invoke the Insurrection Act, there really is nothing for the military to suppress.

“I guess it’d be a voting fraud conspiracy, but how is the military going to suppress that?” he said. “By what, seizing all the ballots? By seizing all the voting machines? By then, what are they going to do, conduct the votes? It just doesn’t make sense.”

The point, however, might just be to have the Insurrection Act as a talking point to keep the MAGA movement motivated. And Levin, the extremism researcher, feared a darker path if Trump — a man who already speaks in militaristic terms on a regular basis — continued to goad his base into thinking a Biden presidency is an insurrection.

“What is the heart of the Second Amendment, pro-militia, anti-government patriot movement? It’s the insurrectionist theory of the Second Amendment,” he said. “It says people can rise up against a tyrannical government. To me, this looks like the last exit on the Jersey Turnpike before we get to that spot.”

Source: https://www.politico.com/news/2020/12/18/trump-insurrection-act-presidency-447986

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Not Proud

Mark Armstrong — Fri, 05 Jun 2020 01:51:09 +0000

Some of the ritziest districts in all the United States lie in chaotic rubble. Political correctness dictates that we all take a knee and realize the nation had it coming. The Senator from New York is beaming with pride. He’s proud of the protesters, and he’s proud of New York. Is he really!?! He needs to make that speech standing ankle-deep in broken glass out front of Macy’s.

Maybe some protester means well. But the screaming, cursing mob holding hundreds of police hostage while cities are systematically looted and burned is aiding and abetting the rampaging criminals. The Senator is no doubt proud that hundreds of criminals were released on account of the viral panic that news organizations are still pushing, albeit feebly. Bail reform was supposed to be a great improvement to the judicial system. At present, it means that thieves and arsonists are freely doing what they do. Apparently it was done of the basis of compassion and racial justice, but looks like a huge mistake right about now. But Chuck is proud.

Is there some doubt that at least a portion of the rampaging gangs that have torn American cities asunder were put back on the streets just in time? The Senator must be very proud. He’s undoubtedly proud of all the other sanctuary cities that put the wants and needs of criminals way ahead of the security of law-abiding citizens and proprietors of formerly successful businesses.

It was almost as if the Mayor of New York held the police at bay while the city burned. We hesitate to divine motives, but the fact is New York’s most glamorous districts were reduced to poverty while news reporters stood in their masks with cameras rolling. The looting went on hour after hour with no sign of any interference by law enforcement. Later we learn that there were some few hundreds of arrests, but the looters and rioters were immediately returned to the streets, thanks to the last time the legal system was “reformed.” Few if any are removed from the problem at hand.

Mad Dog Mattis finally lived up to his name. President Trump chose his top generals and advisors without litmus tests regarding their personal leanings. He expected everyone to behave professionally and live up to universal expectations of high standards. He thought they’d suspend any personal persuasions, performing their sworn duties on behalf of the United States. Boy was he wrong! Several of these “highly respected” professionals have shown themselves to be anything but. They keep their heads down, grumbling privately about the president until they arrive at what they believe to be an opportunity to do maximum damage. Then the long knives come out. Mad Dog suggested the mayhem we’re seeing is the logical result of three years of immature leadership, directing his comments at the President. So, what was the reason for Ferguson? Was it Obama’s fault? The ignorant protesters still act out the “hands up don’t shoot” fallacy. Even though it was proven to be false, the media continued to show great deference. They keep talking about the need for a conversation. But this has gone way beyond a discussion.

Mad Dog provided additional red meat to the angrily sneering “news” reporters. He’s bolstered their case allowing them to rub his military rank and service in everybody’s face while basking in the reflected glow of his intemperate comments. What former general attacks the President who promoted him so enthusiastically? The deep state undoubtedly cheered. At least Mad Dog gave them a little temporary cover. If there’s any shred of justice left in America, they’d better enjoy the moment.

Then there was the case of Mark Espers. He’s publicly stated his disagreement that the President would use the military to protect national monuments in Washington D. C., many of which have already been vandalized with slogans of the mob. Isn’t it great when those to whom the president entrusted important responsibilities defy him in public?

Now we’re supposed to worry about the Constitutional powers of the President to protect national monuments with the military, many of which have already been vandalized and fouled with nonsense slogans? Who does he think he is? How dare he call out the soldiers and Humvees to protect the symbols of America? Doesn’t he realize that someone might be upset? We’re all upset! It’s obvious the mob would break or topple every national symbol. They’d burn down the White House with President Trump inside, such is their wild-eyed rage. And they’re righteous, according to the media. No, the only “right” and equitable thing to do would be to join the protest. If the media had their way, we’d all go taunt some policeman while our buddies plunder the lives of those who worked for a living. That is until the “authorities” told them they couldn’t! What happened to the quarantine? We were told we’d be putting everybody in “danger” if we so much as leave the house. But we’re expected to display great deference and sympathy toward the mob burning up the lives of the law-abiding.

Violent mobs don’t have to stay home. They don’t have to worry about going to work, work is still closed in the cities with large protests, and the government will now make it possible to survive without working. They can stay up all night if they want. They no longer have jobs. Everyone else is quarantined! Nobody better dare get in the way of the rampage, because those jumping around in the faces of police are right, according to nearly every source of news. Their feelings have been hurt! You’ve got million-dollar ball players pretending to cry on national television because we don’t understand how “hurt” their feelings are. Make it a river. But then, where were the tears? Pinched up faces don’t move us much.

How dare we respect the flag? How dare we love the United States? Don’t we realize how racist we are? Don’t we realize that all the stealing is not really stealing at all? It’s “symbolic taking,” and we have to support it if not contribute to it. The news media has taken a knee, and they’re demanding we all do. Say that you respect the flag? You’ll be attacked, should they know your name. The anarchists are blowing up ATM machines, as many as 50 reported in Philadelphia alone, using dynamite. One idiot blew himself up in the process. And the uh, “protesters” have defaced nearly every memorial in D. C.

They’re arguing that the president is pushing beyond his authority to invoke the Insurrection Act used by several Presidents over the last hundred years. It was most recently used by President Bush Sr. in response to the Rodney King riots in Los Angeles. Is this current situation not infinitely worse? Back in the day Los Angeles was a significant concern. Today, law and order in the United States is breaking down completely, and Chuck Schumer is proud. Maybe he just wants to be the last one they loot and burn.

Imagine how proud he’ll be then.

It seems that the riots and looting is starting to recede. But don’t worry, another crisis has been planned, and another one after that. The only shame is that the coronavirus panic murdered the economy, and we’re all supposed to feel good about it. The “news” media is still pushing the virus. Commercials are still advising that we stay home and stay safe. They think we’ll continue doing business with them?

Russia collusion was a scam, and one that no-one has paid for, except for those who were falsely accused and broken by attorney’s fees. The Ukraine phone call impeachment was utter nonsense, despite the bug-eyed dumbster (Adam Schiff) to which we were all subjected. The reaction to the virus was all out of proportion to reality, but we’re going to be herded around by idiotic rules for the foreseeable future. Much to our amazement, the President must have been legitimately spooked by the dark predictions of medical professionals. He stood by while the economy was destroyed, even before the rampage started, and that’s a huge disappointment. Any suggestion that America might recover is enough to start another round of rioting. As we’ve realized for some time, those who hate this nation won’t be satisfied until it’s utterly destroyed. Sadly, that’s a real concern. We were right when we warned that things might get ugly. We didn’t know how right we were.

Calls to defund police departments are gaining steam. In Minneapolis, they’re talking about disbanding the police department completely. Imagine how peaceful the metropolis will be when there are no police. Come to think of it, that’s exactly what we’ve been watching! America has some serious problems all right. They have nothing to do with racism, but they have everything to do with the hideous sins that political correctness regards as national values. Have we forgotten that “values” like these got Sodom and Gomorrah burnt up? Forget about hurting the feelings of the mob. Why do you think we’ve been left vulnerable to these violent, America-hating leftists? And one more thing. They hated America long before the advent of President Donald Trump. This play-book was created by the radical movement clear back in the ’60s. One of the most prominent of them (Bill Ayers, Weather Underground) was Obama’s mentor. He’s been teaching…we wonder what. They were ready to destroy everything in the name of… yep, police brutality. Racial inequality. We lived through some idiotic episodes, and here they come again. This time with two generations of miseducated miscreants, taught by ’60’s era radicals. Nice.

Source: https://www.garnertedarmstrong.org/not-proud/

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