Once again, all eyes are on former President Donald Trump. Second, he brazenly asserts that he knows “everything” about Israel’s alleged recent attack on Iran. Those comments were made on Friday. Soon thereafter, he made clear that he doesn’t wish to further the U.S.-Iran conflict following the new attacks. This statement injects yet another layer into Trump’s already tangled web of relations with international allies and existing complex domestic policy.
It comes just two days after Israel carried out its first open overnight strike on Iranian sites to date. Even in the aftermath of this violent retaliation, Trump very much remains convinced that a Trump deal with Iran is still possible. He called on the country to seek a deal before it is too late. Yet his rhetorical posture reveals a subtle artfulness. It’s the clearest example yet of the “good cop-bad cop” routine being played between the US and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump’s broader recent outreach to Netanyahu points to the strategic effort to maintain strong diplomatic ties. This arrives despite the fact that their dynamic has been historically adversarial.
Specifically, Trump has focused on three foreign policy topics. He has further sharpened his focus on domestic issues, most notably immigration. That’s exactly what he’s promoting through a mass deportation initiative, all to terrorize the undocumented communities already living inside the United States. This week, he drew widespread criticism for illegally deporting Kilmar Ábrego García from Maryland to El Salvador in March. Critics have said that actions like these run counter to American ideals and the rule of law.
“When you are rounding up people with no criminal record while they are at their jobs, it is very clear that the cruelty is indeed the point.” – Alex Berg
So last weekend, it was notable that Trump had sent National Guard troops to Los Angeles. California Governor Gavin Newsom completely opposed this ruling. Including deployment in his larger scheme to “liberate Los Angeles,” Trump was thrilled. He called this pledge in a speech on Tuesday. Critics, including members of Congress, have expressed concern about his tactics, some of which are said to be overly militarized.
Protests across the country against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are causing a stir in cities such as Los Angeles just to name a few. In retaliation, Trump has called these protests a “foreign invasion.” His rhetoric has landed like a bombshell among activists, who decry it as an effort to delegitimize legitimate dissent.
“As Americans, we have a constitutionally protected right to protest. As Angelenos, we have a moral obligation to protest ICE raids on members of our community.” – Alex Berg
Trump’s actions come against the backdrop of his administration’s attempts to reshape federal elections. This week, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction against major provisions of Trump’s broad executive order intended to remake election procedures. These recent events have led us to wonder whether the administration has any respect for constitutional norms.
For instance, on the military front, the dramatic Friday morning U.S. They were given orders to protect federal property and personnel during these unprecedented, largely peaceful protests. According to a spokesperson from US Northern Command, “Any temporary detention ends immediately when the individual(s) can be safely transferred to the custody of appropriate civilian law enforcement personnel.” This brief statement acknowledges the often tenuous balance between public safety and order maintenance and the respect and protection of citizens’ constitutional rights.
In addition to foreign and immigration policies, Trump has faced scrutiny for his response to the crisis in the Middle East. As he sanguinely noted the other day, “today is day 61. I laid out a plan for [Iran], it’s just impossible for them to meet those expectations.” This comment showcases his frustration at Iran’s lack of trust or shock at U.S. diplomatic overtures.
“They should now come to the table to make a deal before it’s too late.” – Donald Trump
As Trump attempts to consolidate his authority at home and challenge the status quo abroad, these efforts have come under fire from leaders on both sides of the aisle. Senator Bernie Sanders emphasized the need for caution regarding potential military involvement, stating, “We must not be dragged into another Netanyahu war.” This mood deeply reflects the desire of many who don’t want to see continued aggression draw the U.S. into bigger wars.
Amid all these developments, analysts like Andrew Roth suggest that Trump’s approach serves to “chill vocal opposition to the administration.” The tension between governance and civil liberties continues to be at the forefront of public discourse as protests erupt across multiple cities.
“They cannot remove our constitutionally protected right to protest through the law, but they can certainly make us think twice about how badly we’re willing to deal with the consequences of protesting.” – Alex Berg