The Trump administration wants to see how far it can go in silencing dissent.
Earlier this week, the Department of Justice took the unusual step of filing federal charges against Democratic Rep. LaMonica McIver, alleging that she assaulted federal law enforcement officers during a protest outside an immigration detention facility. (McIver has denied wrongdoing and called the charges “purely political.”)
Let’s get something straight: what’s happening to McIver is not about law and order. It’s not about whether she assaulted a federal agent or obstructed justice. It’s about the federal government weaponizing its power to intimidate those who dare to push back — and, in this instance, against Black women in positions of authority.
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Under a recent law, members of Congress have a legal right to show up to conduct oversight of federal detention facilities without prior notice.
But President Donald Trump’s administration doesn’t see this as public servants doing their jobs. It sees a threat to its claims to be free from oversight, whether that’s from Congress, the courts or the media.
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This is not just about McIver, though. And it is not just about race —though that is central. What’s happening to her should send a chill down the spine of every elected official — Democrat or Republican, Black, white, or otherwise.
Because this isn’t isolated; this is an escalation.
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Trump wants to send a message to silence dissent, criminalize opposition and remind all of us that we are not safe under his regime. That if we stand up, we may pay the price.
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Because Trump is just getting started.
https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/lamonica-mciver-criminal-charges-trump-ice-rcna207996