Five People You Should Definitely Avoid at a Donald Trump Event
Countering Violent Elections
We’ve had a fascinating time at 5 ‘n Dime considering the impact of the 2016 Election cycle on the field of national and homeland security — from a serious concern about the current and potential impact of a Donald Trump presidency on foreign and domestic policy:
…to a tongue-in-cheek comparison of Trump and Clinton as their respective party’s frontrunners in the upcoming general election:
Lately, it’s the campaign circuit itself that has gotten our attention. Political rallies are obviously meant to electrify and galvanize support for a chosen candidate — or to provide a piggyback venue for the opposition to argue otherwise, in the form of (legal, honest, peaceful) protest. But recently the dividing line between excitement and incitement has been blurred, turning these events into what one of our respected colleagues has called a “Petri dish of conflict.”
It strikes us as a particularly ripe description.
Federal and local homeland security and public safety personnel are called upon to keep order at these political events — to keep the candidates, themselves, and the participating public safe. The intersection of politics and security is certainly not new (we’ve been protecting politicians for quite a long time, obviously), but what is unique this cycle is how much it has been necessary.
Where is this all coming from?
Much has been said about Trump’s propensity for inflaming the voter base, either through the psychology of fear, promises of recapturing past glories, hyperbolic fits, narcissistic in-artfulness, or as a twisted but purposeful central campaign tactic. Regardless, the violence is real, and we, as citizens and as homeland security professionals, have to take it seriously.
Our political system does, however, depend upon civic engagement. Shutting down the First Amendment, the expression of opposing viewpoints, even when disagreements may be deeply and passionately expressed, is not really an option. (Free speech exceptions for incitement, falsity, obscenity, threat, and the like, even in political speech, is still in effect — but that’s a topic for another discussion.) Further, this brief piece is not about why Trump rallies, in particular, have become so synonymous with dangerous discourse. This is meant to be more practical — how do you participate in the conversation without becoming a part of it?
By knowing what to look out for.
So, who do you need to worry about, and why?
Right now, our main concern is your safety. So if you are planning to attend a political rally in the near future, particularly for Donald Trump given the current environment, who are the people or groups whose proximity could mean violence, threat, aggression, or other potential harm? Here is our list of some people you may want to avoid, if at all possible:
5. The Protection
Let’s start with us. Security guards, local law enforcement, federal agents, and others in homeland security and the public safety service have an important job to do. They are there because, frankly, they have to be — especially right now.
When exercising your First Amendment rights crosses the line from free speech to incitement, or threat, or actual physical violence, they are going to have to respond.* It does not matter a lick who you are —their first duty is to ensure control of the situation. With public safety at risk, they will not discriminate and can not afford to hesitate. The best rule of thumb is to just let the security professionals do their jobs and you won’t have any issues with them. They are there to protect you — unless you are one of the types listed below. In which case, don’t be surprised to end up on the ground.
*This applies to throwing eggs at the dais, breaching the outer perimeter, being somewhere you shouldn’t, or being John Malkovich. The list is obviously not exhaustive.
4. The Escalators
Demonstrating as a form of expression has a long and important history in America. In the context of the presidential election, most demonstrators (for or against a candidate) choose to be clever rather than violent, expressing themselves through peaceful opposition or support using placards and informative speech. But there are others whose aim is to incite, turning a demonstration from peaceful influence into an altercation. These are conflict escalators, and they are baiting — targeting an increase in hostilities as a purposeful tactic.
Passions and belief can obviously run high with opposing viewpoints, and debates can move from heated to violent in an instant. It only takes one hothead, with a dash of groupthink, for things to get dangerously out of hand. Witty signs and chants are one thing — yelling and becoming physically aggressive are another. Steer clear of protestors and demonstrators whose approaches tend toward provocation intended to escalate tensions. It doesn’t take much to identify them — if you feel nervous, move away.
3. The Radicalized
Political messages are designed to resonate with the ideology of certain groups. In the case of Donald Trump, some of his statements and positions echo particularly with isolationists or hate groups who perceive that inclusiveness or tolerance have led to a loss of power or influence. When a candidate models a blunt or brutish approach, that behavior validates positions which would typically be considered otherwise inappropriate or impolitic. In many ways, Trump has not merely mobilized, but also radicalized his base.
It’s not hard to figure out that staying away from attendees waving Nazi flags or wearing Ku Klux Clan masks is generally a good idea, for your own personal safety. Groups that routinely operate in shadows may not follow the same codes as those that are used to operating in the light. Give these folks a wide berth.
2. The “Others”
Trump has been viewed by some as an isolationist, and groups who find themselves in the crosshairs of the Trump’s attacks against them as policy proxies can be made to feel disenfranchised and vulnerable. And ultimately, defensive.
Circling of the wagons by these groups to protect against the attacks has sometimes had the unfortunate effect of increasing internal anger of the group, and it can be a vicious cycle. Their responses, although incited, may be both counterproductive (reinforcing Trump’s argument of the “other” through doubled-down group identification) and potentially dangerous (when the collective emotional frustration boils over). Watch for these groups with their backs up. Self-protection is a powerful motivator, and there are plenty of triggers in the current political climate that could turn vulnerability to violence.
1. The Anonymous
This is the toughest, but also the most important category. Some people are recognizable, as detailed above. But going to any demonstration or rally means being with a very large group of strangers. And many look perfectly normal. They probably are.
Usually.
Being in large groups results in what some psychologists describe as a herd or mob mentality — a process of deindividuation, or losing one’s own identity. Lower self-awareness results in lower inhibition, and that means making choices we wouldn’t otherwise make. Individual actions are attributed to the group, which lowers the perception of personal responsibility.
Sucker-punching the opposition, flipping the bird, yelling and screaming, throwing objects — some of these actions are undertaken by individuals who would never behave that way alone or in a small group. If you find yourself a part of a large group, try to remember to remain both situationally-aware and self-aware. And if in doubt — get out.
P.S.: Oh, and you may also see this guy and his tattoo:
He really won’t hurt you, but we suggest you avoid him just the same.
