Kristi Noem and her ICE street militia is on a rampage, and it is going to get worse. Noem and the agents she leads have the full backing of the President, the Vice President and the administration.
She and the growing army of Amendment 2 recruits are what our leading autocrat ordered. It is January 6th all over again, except the criminals now wear badges, combat gear and masks to intimidate, harass and kill people, including citizens, on the streets of America.
Now they can do it “legally” since all of federal law enforcement is in on the scheme to regiment the country to the will of one man. It was never about drugs, law and order or the economy.
It is clearly about racial and ethnic cleansing and making oligarchs richer beginning with the first family. It is an evolving government designed to be run by the few for the benefit of the few.
Historically, President Trump has had a lifelong desire to outdo his billionaire friends in making money, to be the leader in that club, and has failed. His six bankruptcies are a testimony to his extreme overreach in that regard.
In becoming President, he has not only found his best avenue to the riches he desires, but also the political power to run people’s lives beyond those of his family. It is a dream of a lifetime.
In his first try as President he found that his corrupt intent and public actions did not sit well with the majority of the people of the country. He was impeached twice and lost his reelection bid.
Although prosecuted and convicted for some of his crimes, he nevertheless continued his quest for absolute political power and the riches he could not achieve in the world of work.
Like in the campaign for his first term, Trump took advantage of a divided America and successfully sought the support of a sector of the nation that fears the disenfranchisement of its political control after 250 years or more of dominance. He was elected by a margin of some 2.3 million votes out of almost 153 million cast.
As President, he has been publicly transparent in his comments about wanting to represent and serve the interests only of those that voted for him. Yet, actions tell us that he appears to be using the government for the benefit of a very reduced circle of friends and family.
Trump is having little success in strengthening the economy and providing affordable healthcare among other promises he made. However, his promise on immigration is on schedule because it allows the President the opportunity to construct an ICE army totally loyal to him.
Immigration is the red meat he has thrown at his constituents. That may be the most important issue for MAGA because this is critical to limiting demographic growth of a Latino community that stands to gain the majority in the next decades.
The unfounded MAGA fear is driving the recruitment of right-wing activists to the ICE ranks. It is also giving Kristi Noem and her agents a free hand to intimidate and manhandle people, especially in the cities, without worry of consequences, at least for the time being.
2026 is a pivotal year in the effort to limit some of the damage the present administration is doing to our institutions and their people at home and to our friends abroad. Americans need to use the ballot box effectively before that too is in jeopardy.
The views expressed by David Conde are not necessarily the views of LaVozColorado. Comments and responses may be directed to News@lavozcolorado.com.
