Donald Trump regularly issues executive orders, memoranda, and proclamations. So many, in fact, that there are web sites entirely devoted to tracking them.
But there’s one recent directive that most people have never heard of. If they had, they might be concerned – for themselves, for their friends, for any group or organization they belong to.
It’s a National Security Presidential Memorandum. Since it is the seventh such national security memorandum issued by the Trump administration in this term, it is labeled NSPM-7. And here’s why it is so scary (quoting from this article on The Conversation):
This seventh national security memorandum from the Trump White House pushes the limits of presidential authority by targeting individuals and groups as potential domestic terrorists based on their beliefs rather than their actions.
“Wait,” you’re likely thinking, “I can be labeled a terrorist simply for what I believe?!?” And the answer? “Yep.”
The details of NSPM-7
The memorandum (which you can read here) begins by laying out a litany of political violence over recent months, saying it has “dramatically increased.” There’s the Charlie Kirk murder, of course, and the assassination attempt against Brett Kavanaugh. But it also includes “anti-police and ‘criminal justice’ riots” in its list of political violence events.
It then goes on to claim that all of this is “a culmination of sophisticated, organized campaigns.” As a result, “a new law enforcement strategy that investigates all participants in these criminal and terroristic conspiracies — including the organized structures, networks, entities, organizations, funding sources, and predicate actions behind them — is required.”
It says that these violent actions are being carried out in the name of “self-described ‘anti-fascism.’” What follows is the part of this order that is most troubling:
This “anti-fascist” lie has become the organizing rallying cry used by domestic terrorists to wage a violent assault against democratic institutions, constitutional rights, and fundamental American liberties. Common threads animating this violent conduct include anti-Americanism, anti-capitalism, and anti-Christianity; support for the overthrow of the United States Government; extremism on migration, race, and gender; and hostility towards those who hold traditional American views on family, religion, and morality.
So, here’s the question: Is there anything that you believe, say, or act upon that could fall under any of those headings? Criticism of Christian Nationalism? Criticism of unchecked corporate greed? Strong beliefs about the rights of immigrants? Strong support for LGBTQ people and causes? “Hostility” toward “traditional” view on family, religion, or morality?
Yeah, me too.
In fact, while I suspect that pretty much any citizen of this country could fall under one or more of those so-called “common threads animating this violent conduct,” it is pretty clearly aimed at anyone who holds liberal or progressive beliefs, or is involved in liberal or progressive causes.
What does NSPM-7 lead to?
Here are some actions that this memorandum authorizes:
- “investigate, prosecute, and disrupt entities and individuals engaged in acts of political violence and intimidation designed to suppress lawful political activity or obstruct the rule of law.”
- “investigate institutional and individual funders, and officers and employees of organizations, that are responsible for, sponsor, or otherwise aid and abet the principal actors engaging in the criminal conduct ...”
- include “civil disorder” in the list of acts of domestic terrorism
- “ensure that no tax-exempt entities are directly or indirectly financing political violence or domestic terrorism”
The bottom line
The problem is, there is no bottom line. The memorandum begins with an intentionally vague listing of “common threads,” and then proceeds to give multiple federal agencies the power to investigate and prosecute any individuals or groups exhibiting those beliefs or actions.
In short, this memorandum gives the president and his administration the right to attack anyone they think is not aligned with their agenda, by calling those people “domestic terrorists.”
Will they use it that way? Today, probably not. If, for example, they tried to prosecute the leaders of Indivisible, the pushback would be massive, and they would lose any court cases related to it.
But remember, the goal is not to win; the goal is to create an atmosphere of fear, of second-guessing yourself, of “keeping your head down” and “going along to get along.” If this document causes you and me to do those things, then they have achieved their goal.
And yes, at some point in the future, they may use this to eliminate all opposition, just as the Nazis used the Enabling Act to lock down Germany and Germans.
For now, though, our response has to be refusing to stay silent. Refusing to abandon our principles. Continuing to stand with immigrants, the poor, our LGBTQ neighbors. And continuing to stand up for democracy and against fascism.
In Timothy Snyder’s book On Tyranny, the very first lesson is clear:
Do not obey in advance.
In the face of Trump’s push to establish an authoritarian state, that simple command must be our watchword.
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