Poll Finds Americans Skeptical of Trump Admin's 'Law and Order' Fairytale
Newsweek reported back in 2018 that a majority of Americans rejected the Trump administration's defense of the police shooting of Justine Damond in Minneapolis. While the focus was on public perception of that specific instance, the administration's broader 'law and order' rhetoric often served as a blanket justification for expanding police powers and military-grade equipment to local forces.
This trend, accelerated under various administrations, rarely highlights the disproportionate impact on marginalized communities, shifting public discourse away from systemic issues to individual 'bad apples' or 'unfortunate incidents.' One might wonder if the same American public that questions specific incidents also questions the billions poured into militarizing police departments across the
country, often at the expense of social programs. When the 'defense' consistently overrides accountability, it's not surprising people stop believing the narrative. It’s almost as if calling for 'law and order' while simultaneously undermining democratic institutions and due process creates a credibility gap.