Holly Baxter of The Independent reported today that in the midst of all the chaos—including his war on Iran and rising fuel and food prices—Trump called a sudden, urgent press conference today as Blanche was testifying. But what was on his mind was not Iran, or prices, or his corrupt agreement with the Department of Justice. He wanted to talk about his ballroom.Trump’s comments in that press conference have invited commentary suggesting he is turning the White House into a fortress. Describing the ballroom, he said: “Between the drone-proofing, the missile-proofing, we have ah, and the drone capacity upstairs, we can have all sorts of military—I hate to use the word snipers—but we have great sniper capacity. It’s built for our snipers, not enemy’s snipers, our snipers. And because of the height we get a very clear view of everything all over Washington.”
Via Letters from an American, May 19. This is the report in The Independent. I know some readers think this is normal behavior, not mental illness, but really... WTF?
Aside from the paranoia and the lack of realization that whatever he builds, he won't enjoy, the White House is a fortress.
ReplyDelete25 years ago, you could drive a car on E St & F Sts along the White House. They are now closed. After the BLM protests the fence around the White House has been replaced with a higher and more solid one. More and more Jersey barriers are installed to keep even tourists away from their White House - the White House is a National Park, after all. After much hemming an hawing, a bike lane was installed through LaFayette Square during Biden. It has been closed. Trump also makes a habit of finding reasons to close LaFayette Square in front of the White House. Sometimes to hide from BLM protesters, now because of the East Wing destruction.
Every time there's an incident and the existing security works, the security lunatics get an opportunity to increase safety measures to new levels of insanity.
I am no fan of the Secret Service providing more and more security for political officials. If democratic leaders are no longer accessible for regular citizens, things are going wrong. Democratically elected officials should not be allowed to hide from citizens. If they can't face citizens without (reasonable) security, they should reconsider their policies.
Gun laws to start with. It is patently unfair that presidents get all kinds of security protection so they don't get shot, while kids do not. While they get shot by the hundreds.
So let me get this straight. Trump is standing out in the open air to talk about defenses against drones and snipers. Trump routinely walks around wide open golf courses. Trump clearly does not feel threatened by drones or snipers or he would be taking more security measures to defend himself. Why should we spend a plugged nickel on defenses in the Epstein Memorial Ballroom that he clearly does not wish for himself?
ReplyDeleteEvery king needs a castle.
ReplyDeleteThis made me think of how visitors used to be able to walk right up to the White House and shake hands with the president. As I recall Coolidge (late 1920s) was the last to stand in a "handshake line" and greet regular folks on tours. What's more, Mrs C would walk around Washington doing shopping and chatting with passersby. Hard to picture Melania doing that one.
ReplyDeleteI've said from the start that he was building an impenetrable fortress from which to rule with an iron fist--his number one wish (he's always openly envied the open brutality of other dictators.)
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