Federal muscle isn’t fooling anyone now

Authoritarianism in the US isn’t creeping in quietly or slowly - Trump and his people are openly sending federal troops into places like Chicago, not even pretending to ask the governor or get state consent. Like, suddenly it's “normal” to see soldiers with assault rifles rolling down Western Ave or standing guard in the Loop (which, by the way, is a tiny two-square-mile chunk of a city that’s over 230 square miles). Using the military on US soil is supposed to be a “break glass in case of emergency” move, not just some performative stunt to get everyone used to the sight of armed men on American streets. But now, under the excuse of “restoring order,” they’re parading federal forces around so the public gets desensitized - all while laying the groundwork for the real crackdown if there’s any real pushback or protest. Let’s be real: this is straight out of Project 2025’s playbook. The whole point is to provoke blue states and cities, daring them to resist so it can be spun as an excuse for martial law, mass arrests, or even canceling elections if they think they can get away with it. They call it “keeping the peace,” but what they mean is rounding up anyone who protests, sending people to camps, and getting the public used to the idea that federal force can override state rights whenever it suits them. Governors like JB Pritzker in Illinois and Gavin Newsom in California are now stuck with a choice: block out-of-state National Guard units (like when Ohio’s governor sent troops to D.C.), or sit on their hands hoping the Constitution magically enforces itself. And honestly, at this point, it’s obvious the Constitution is just words on paper if there’s nobody left to enforce it - Congress and the courts have already been compromised, so it’s down to the people and whether state leaders actually step up. But here’s the thing: the whole “occupy the country” fantasy falls apart the minute people stop being scared and start resisting. They don’t have enough loyal troops, money, or resources to actually control a city like Chicago, let alone the whole country. Even retired generals have run the numbers and said it’s impossible to hold territory against a population that’s not having it. This is all smoke and mirrors - a fascist cosplay meant to intimidate and normalize something that should be unthinkable in America. I’m not about to let a bunch of wannabe dictators drag us all back to the 1860s and criminalize dissent. There’s a line, and they’ve already stomped all over it.