"On last Friday morning, federal agents from ICE, the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted raids across Los Angeles, including at two Home Depots, a doughnut shop, and a clothing wholesaler, in search of workers they suspected of being undocumented immigrants. They arrested 121 people. They were met with protesters who chanted and threw eggs before being dispersed by police wearing riot gear, holding shields, and using batons, guns that shot pepper balls, rubber bullets, tear gas, and flash bang grenades against the protesters." Have you heard about this?

"On Saturday, Trump intentionally escalated the confrontations, ordering at least 2,000 National Guard troops to be deployed in Los Angeles County to help quell the protests. He said that any demonstration that got in the way of immigration officials would be considered a "form of rebellion." Stephen Miller, the White House deputy chief of staff, called the protests an 'Insurrection'." Do you think the purpose of the protesters was to start an insurrection?

"Saturday evening, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth threatened to deploy active-duty Marines, saying, "The violent mob assaults on ICE and Federal Law Enforcement are designed to prevent the removal of Criminal Illegal Aliens from our soil. A dangerous invasion facilitated by criminal cartels (aka Foreign Terrorist Organizations) and a huge NATIONAL SECURITY RISK. Under President Trump, violence and destruction against federal agents and federal facilities will NOT be tolerated"." Did the Trump administration deliberately try to escalate violence in Los Angeles even though the LA Police had the situation under control?

"Friends, we are witnessing the first stages of Trump's police state. Last week, raids in San Diego and Massachusetts — in Martha's Vineyard and the Berkshires — led to standoffs as bystanders angrily confronted federal agents who were taking workers into custody. Trump's dragnet also includes federal courthouses. ICE officers are mobilizing outside courtrooms across America and are immediately arresting people — even migrants whose cases have been dismissed by judges." Do you agree with Trump's immigration removal tactics?

"History shows that once an authoritarian ruler establishes the infrastructure of a police state, that same infrastructure can be turned on anyone. Trump is rapidly creating such an infrastructure: (1) declaring an emergency on the basis of a so-called "rebellion," "insurrection," or "invasion," (2) using that "emergency" to justify bringing in federal agents with a monopoly of force (ICE, DHS, FBI, DEA, and National Guard) against civilians inside the nation. (3) allowing those militarized agents to make dragnet abductions and warrantless arrests and detain people without due process, (4) creating additional prison space and detention camps for those detained, and (5) eventually, as the situation escalates, declaring martial law." Do you feel that President Trump is laying the groundwork for the US to become a police state that he will control?

"We are not at martial law yet, thankfully. But once in place, the infrastructure of a police state can build on itself. Those who are given authority over aspects of it — the internal militia, dragnets, detention camps, and martial law — seek other opportunities to invoke their authority. As civilian control gives way to military control, the nation splits into those who are most vulnerable to it and those who support it. The dictatorship entrenches itself by fomenting fear and anger on both sides." Are President Trump's actions further dividing the nation for his own purposes?