Cartoon

State Rules

Written by SK Ashby

(Cartoonist - Matt Davies)

In other news, the United States record over 1,000 coronavirus deaths for the first time since early June. We're expected to hit 145,000 deaths tonight or tomorrow and cross 4 million total infections.

Meanwhile, British media is reporting that officials are preparing to abandon trade talks with the European Union as they don't expect to reach a deal by the end of the month. A hard Brexit is still coming.

Finally, Defense Secretary Mark Esper is reportedly concerned about federal agents dressing up like soldiers because many Americans can't tell the difference.

After nationwide protests over racial injustice and police violence erupted in June, Esper expressed concern that in some cases, federal law enforcement officers were being confused with troops because of their similar uniforms, said Jonathan Hoffman, chief Pentagon spokesperson. Esper urged efforts to more clearly distinguish between the two, Hoffman said.

Esper may be looking to have a conversation with Attorney General William Barr, acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf and their teams about the issue in the near future, Hoffman said, but did not specify a timeline.

Hoffman's comments come amid rising alarm over federal agents dressed as troops sweeping into Portland, Ore., this week on President Donald Trump's orders. Trump threatened to send additional agents into other major cities, including New York City and Philadelphia, if the "liberal Democrats" in charge don't tamp down on civil unrest.

I feel like this cat is already out of the bag. The horse is out of the barn.

The Trump regime already crossed a line when they positioned active duty troops outside D.C. and threatened to deploy them against Americans. Esper should have been willing to resign if necessary to prevent that from happening in the first place. The Pentagon has also gone along with Trump's politically-motivated deployments to the southern border. They abide by his order to ban transgender recruits. Trump has thoroughly politicized the military.