And so it appears to be over. For now, we hope. A federally run terror campaign in Minnesota’s largest metro area has been called off, leaving behind two dead American citizens, a Venezuelan shot and wounded, and countless others traumatized by masked thugs ostensibly functioning as security officers seeking to capture the “worst of the worst” undocumented immigrants.
The Trump administration says some 3,000 agents arrested more than 4,000 undocumented immigrants in Minnesota, some of whom had been convicted of serious crimes.
How do we know they were killers and rapists? Were they convicted and out on bail, or escapees from prison? How are we to accept the government’s word when time and again it has skirted and violated due process norms?
CBS News reported that among the 4,000 arrested during Operation Metro Surge few had criminal records beyond their illegal status inside the United States. The dragnet, in fact, mistakenly took into custody many American citizens.
Meanwhile, three known killers wearing federal uniforms are freely roaming the country while tens, perhaps hundreds more, maybe even thousands, also have been relieved of accountability for violating ICE protocols by manhandling and pepper spraying American citizens lawfully expressing their constitutional right to protest.
The people of Minneapolis/St. Paul fought for us all. In harsh weather most of us would shun by staying sheltered from frigid air, Minnesotans reminded us of the patriots who outlasted a Valley Forge winter nearly 200 years ago. Minnesotans endured not just natural elements but a blizzard of evil actions by the henchmen of a despicable, desperate demagogue intent on bending the knees of those who resist tyranny because of their love of democracy, the rule of law and the belief that government can and must be held accountable by the governed.
Trump has inflicted incalculable damage to our collective dignities, our freedoms, our civilities. If there is any consistency to his actions, it is his refusal to ever admit culpability. He can never admit to any wrongdoing. He was taught by Roy Cohn, the agent provocateur of the McCarthy era and his consigliere during the 1970s-early 1980s, to never back down, never show weakness. Always attack. Overwhelm your opposition.
Minnesotans outlasted Mother Nature and Donald Trump. The Gopher State deserves our praise for showing the rest of the country that authoritarianism can be checked by collective action. Renee Good and Alex Pretti earned their places in the pantheon of American patriots.
