WASHINGTON — Largely peaceful protesters have gathered near the White House the past few days to sing hymns, chant “Black lives matter,” and take a knee in the wake of George Floyd’s killing. But after outbreaks of violence over the weekend, the downtown location of the demonstrations increasingly has looked like a war zone.
Black fencing was erected around Lafayette Park to keep protesters from getting too close. Nearby roads have been blocked with military vehicles. Stone-faced officers in bulletproof vests and long body shields — some in fatigues, others in ominous dark, unmarked uniforms — have formed intimidating barriers. And helicopters have patrolled over mostly deserted streets with boarded-up storefronts.
Donald Trump won the election espousing old notions of law and order, often delivered with a clenched fist, and a rallying promise to build a wall along the southern border. Since taking office, he has embraced the trappings of authority, touting his relationship with police and uniformed sheriffs, summoning military vehicles and jets for a Fourth of July extravaganza, and expressing his admiration of dictators and strongmen.
Now, as the nation convulses with anger over racism and police brutality, he has put on a show of force in Washington to demonstrate the type of response to protests he’d like to see in other cities should they fail to quell the civil unrest.
But how much of it is show in a presidential election year? And how much could actually translate into use of force?
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