Republicans are bothered by the size and scope of the “No Kings” rallies.   Speakers and editorials attempt to present it as a rebellion with violent underpinnings.  That happened in a recently in the local paper.  A couple of examples of protestors making violent gestures, one regarding Charlie Kirk, were presented as evidence.  We should all mourn the death of Kirk while at the same time doing everything in our power to keep the ideas he promoted from growing in our society.  That is, in part, what the “No Kings” rallies were all about. 

Our would be king is promoting Kirks ideas and acting on many of them.  We should all be aware that the writers assertion that Trump won the popular vote and is following through on his campaign promises is only partially correct.  He did win the popular vote, but barely. 

In both percentage and raw votes, Trump’s margin is less than half of what Biden achieved four years earlier.  1.5% does not make a mandate as they are claiming.  He also won less than half of all votes cast, 49.7%.  It’s correct to say that he was not elected by a majority of Americans.  Most voted for someone else or did not vote at all. 

While he’s following through with his promises and more it’s the manner in which it’s happening that’s most disturbing.  First it’s absolutely true he put loyalty to himself over expertise in the field when  selecting members of his administration.  It’s easy to justify the position that we have the least experienced or qualified government in anyone’s lifetime and it shows.  He doesn’t have to bother with justifying his actions to anyone in his administration or to a Congress dominated by his followers.  None of us has ever seen a sight like one of his cabinet meetings.  Watching each member heap praise on him in ways a king might expect is really disturbing. 

He’s made it clear that “blue” states would be punished for not supporting him.  Trump routinely withholds funding for all sorts of projects in those areas while expanding funding on states that he favors.  It’s illegal but a king can get away with it.  He believes, like a King, that he can authorize the killing of individuals without providing any due process.  More than 50 people have already died at sea because of that. 

There is a process that previous presidents have followed when they wanted to make changes to the Whitehouse.  When you think of yourself as being above all that like a king would you just do it.  The fact you announced earlier your ballroom addition would not touch the Whitehouse you loved was not a concern.

On the economic front Trump has placed tariffs on a whole host of merchandise coming into the country which are in fact taxes on the American importers.  Only Congress, in our Democracy, has the ability to levy taxes.  He has a congress that’s willing to surrender that authority to their kingly leader. 

He’s taken the authority to threaten or reward other countries depending on how they support his policies.  He gives $20 billion to his friend in Argentina while placing 50% tariffs on Brazil.  They arrested former President Bolsonaro on accusations of attempting to stay in power after he lost an election.  His people ransacked a government building.  A bird’s of a feather sort of thing. 

How about the growing presence of hats and other paraphernalia emblazoned with “Trump in 2028”.  That will take overturning the Constitution to make it possible but he’s tried that before. 

Most of us have given up counting the lies he repeats daily intended to keep this MAGA madness going.  The only solution to that madness is to vote him out of office at the next opportunity.  The “No Kings” rallies are a step in that direction.

The actions of Trump described above and more are the reason she correctly pointed out that the country is further off track especially in the area of accepting violence.  More democrats and Republicans than ever think that violence may be necessary to get the country back on track.  Democrats have grown significantly in that belief in the last year but still trail Republicans 28% to 31%.  Having ICE agents in military garb wearing masks rounding up all manner of aliens, sometimes violently,  as well as armed national guard troops in major cities may be inspiring that change.  We should take care not to promote it.

The Republicans are right to be concerned about the number of people turning out to protest  Trump’s effort to gain ever increasing authority.  We can’t let him dance in his new ballroom any longer than necessary.