Letter to the Editor: Trump slides deeper into tyranny

Recently, President Trump federalized the DC police and installed federal law enforcement officials in the city. The move was done with the intent to crack down on crime in the city, but the action was unnecessary. Violent crime is down 26 percent compared to last year according to the DC Police Department.

Not only was it unnecessary, but the move will likely hurt crimefighting as a whole. For instance, parts of the FBI were activated to DC, which is dangerous because 1) those people are not well trained in day-to-day policing and 2) those people already have jobs in terrorism, violent crime and cyber protection. Taking them away from their jobs limits their ability to stop those crimes.

This decision disturbs me because it shows Trump’s slide deeper into tyranny. Current law limits the action to thirty days, but Trump has often tried to get around laws like those. Historically, authoritarian leaders want physical control over the capital and the people in the capital city because it’s an effective way to counter rivals, silence dissent, and accelerate their agenda. This decision isn’t about crime. It’s about Trump’s desire to control the capitol.

Nathan Vinehout Kane

Ames