Judge Joseph Dredd is a comic book and movie character who lives in a fictional future where law enforcement has evolved to the point of giving one person the power to arrest, convict, sentence, and execute criminals. As a work of fiction, the story of Judge Dredd has come to represent the idea of a police-state society where authoritarianism has replaced the rule of law.
While such a society seems too far “out there” to be believed, the gradually increasing loss of our constitutional rights at the hands of federal, state, and local government is making is appear much closer than we might want to admit.
In a week where I’ve written articles on post-constitutional America and the loss of freedoms, the recent terrorist attack in New York City serves as the latest example of how liberty is threatened—thanks once again to our constitutionally ignorant Narcissist-in-Chief after he threatened to send the suspect in the attack to Gitmo.
When asked by a reporter if the NYC terrorist should be sent to Gitmo, Trump donned his Judge Dredd persona and proceeded to arrest, convict, and punish the attacker while labeling our America’s constitutional system of justice “a joke and a laughingstock.”
Trump lashes out at US federal justice system as "joke" and "laughing stock." pic.twitter.com/Aa5vJumWvd
— Josh Marshall (@joshtpm) November 1, 2017
“We need quick justice, and we need strong justice. Much quicker and much stronger than we have right now because what we have right now is a joke, and it’s a laughingstock.”
While I have no qualms when it comes to trying this mass murderer and executing him if he is found guilty in a court of law, I have a major issue with Trump—a man with a track record of attacking freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom from unreasonable search and seizure—threatening to once again ignore the Constitution in order to feed his narcissistic need for the approval of others.
According to Constitutional expert Judge Andrew Napolitano, the suspect in the attack is a “lawful resident” of the United States, and as such, is entitled to his constitutional rights—rights he would be denied if he were sent to Gitmo.
And for those who will accuse me of jumping to conclusions, ask yourself this question: If a permanent resident can be denied his constitutional rights, can the same thing happen to an American citizen? Before you answer, let me remind you that Rand Paul once asked this same question when Barack Obama ignored the Constitution and threatened to use drones to attack Americans.
Trump rightfully wants to end programs like the Diversity Visa Lottery, a system that has made it easier for terrorists to enter the country, but his Judge Dredd attitude about the Constitution and the rule of law is dangerous and reckless.
Meanwhile, post-constitutional America continues dying a slow and painful death.
David Leach is the owner of The Strident Conservative, your source for opinion that’s politically-incorrect and always “right.” His articles can also be found on RedState.com.
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