Trump grants ICE 'Total Authorization'. And they will expect his protection when things inevitably go bad. Anthony Davis Jul 14 The United States is facing an unsettling escalation in federal immigration enforcement, one that extends far beyond border policy and into the foundations of American democracy itself. Under the direction of Donald Trump, immigration agencies have ramped up aggressive operations across the country, particularly in California and Texas. The scale, tactics, and tone of these operations have provoked a chorus of concern from civil rights groups, legal experts, and political leaders who warn that these measures represent more than a harsh immigration stance. They signal a deeper erosion of constitutional protections and democratic norms. In a Truth Social post that reverberated across political and legal communities, Trump recently declared he was granting “Total Authorization” to federal agents to use any means necessary to defend themselves during immigration enforcement actions. Specifically, he ordered ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), Homeland Security agents, and other law enforcement officers to stop their vehicles and arrest protesters if they were attacked, encouraging the use of force and bypassing due process safeguards. He also called for the arrest of demonstrators who disrupt immigration raids, assigning the task to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and border adviser Tom Homan, who are already brimming with power. Anthony Davis' Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. The statement followed volatile incidents in Ventura County, California, where federal agents raided two cannabis farms, resulting in the arrest of over 200 suspected undocumented workers. The raids sparked confrontations with protesters, including the use of tear gas by federal agents and objects thrown by demonstrators. In one tragic case, a farmworker died after falling from a rooftop while fleeing the scene. Though not in custody at the time, his death intensified criticism of the administration’s tactics. Despite prior internal guidance from ICE leadership advising a pause in workplace raids unless tied to criminal cases, the enforcement actions have continued and even escalated. Meanwhile, California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the raids as inhumane, accusing the administration of using chaos and fear as political tools. His office responded sharply to a tweet from senior Trump adviser Stephen Miller, labeling the administration’s conduct as a threat to democracy and constitutional governance. These raids are not isolated incidents. Across the country, law enforcement is being deployed in ways that mirror authoritarian crackdowns more than democratic policing. In Texas, a coordinated attack outside a detention center led to the arrest of ten individuals on attempted murder charges after a police officer was shot. The suspects were reportedly dressed in military-style clothing, and the FBI is now searching for an eleventh and twelfth suspect. Days later, in McAllen, Texas, another armed attack targeted a border patrol facility, injuring several personnel before the gunman was killed. Rather than calming tensions, the administration has responded with more force. ICE’s budget has ballooned under Trump’s leadership from $8 billion to $28 billion, making it the most heavily funded law enforcement agency in the federal government. Plans to hire 10,000 new agents are underway with a proposed ICE enforcement budget of $150 billion - more than the FBI. The show of force was evident earlier this month when a convoy of federal officers descended upon MacArthur Park in Los Angeles, a predominantly immigrant neighborhood. Children were rushed indoors, and businesses closed their doors as agents swarmed the area. No arrests were confirmed, but the message was unmistakable: the government was flexing its muscle, leading LA’s mayor Karen Bass to take legal action. The psychological and economic toll of these operations is immense. Community members report a chilling effect, where fear of arrest keeps people from going to work, shopping, or even sending their children to school. Businesses have seen foot traffic plummet. In neighborhoods like MacArthur Park, the presence of ICE has become a permanent shadow, casting fear and uncertainty over daily life. Legal advocates argue the administration’s enforcement strategy amounts to racial profiling and unconstitutional policing. In many cases, those arrested have no criminal record and were detained based on appearance, language, or location. People were seized outside grocery stores, churches, and elementary schools. According to one legal complaint, DHS agents have engaged in an extraordinary campaign of targeting people based on nothing more than the color of their skin and, in some cases, where they live or work. They aren’t chasing criminals - they’re eradicating people of color. This week, a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order limiting ICE’s authority to stop individuals based on race, ethnicity, or location. The ruling prevents agents from using factors like speaking Spanish or being present at car washes or farms as justifications for arrest unless there is reasonable suspicion of immigration law violations. While a temporary victory for civil rights advocates, it underscores the degree to which normal constitutional protections have already been undermined. And it is not only immigrants who are affected. Legal observers point out that the very notion of equal protection under the law is at stake. Trump’s actions are not just about deporting undocumented people; they are about reshaping the relationship between government and the governed. By encouraging the use of force, eroding judicial oversight, and bypassing local jurisdictions, the Trump administration is modeling a form of governance that relies on fear, secrecy, and impunity. These are hallmarks of authoritarian regimes. More alarmingly, the judiciary itself appears increasingly aligned with the Trump regime’s agenda. The Supreme Court recently limited the ability of lower courts to block executive orders, effectively greenlighting Trump’s move to end birthright citizenship, a right guaranteed by the 14th Amendment. Legal scholars warn this ruling could embolden further attacks on constitutional guarantees. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, in a candid comment, voiced her anxiety, saying what keeps her up at night is “the state of our democracy.” Her words resonate in a political landscape where press freedoms are also under threat. Trump has turned lawsuits against media outlets into tools of intimidation, extracting settlements and deterring critical reporting. The result is a chilling effect on investigative journalism at a time when democratic transparency is most needed. These developments form part of a broader pattern that legal scholars and historians recognize as symptomatic of democratic backsliding. When law enforcement is weaponized against political enemies, when judges enable executive overreach, and when dissent is criminalized, democracy is no longer functioning as intended. And sadly, we have passed that point. In this context, Trump’s immigration raids are not merely a policy issue. They are a warning sign. The use of militarized police tactics in civilian communities, the racialized nature of arrests, and the administration’s open disdain for judicial and media oversight reveal a deeper transformation of the American political system, one that leans toward autocracy rather than democracy. For now, resistance is emerging in courtrooms and city halls. But the long-term damage to institutions, to communities, and to democratic norms may take years to repair. What is clear is that democracy does not die all at once. It erodes piece by piece, under the weight of fear, silence, and unchecked power. The work of preserving it begins with noticing and naming what is happening. Calling it out for what it is. And acknowledging that America’s checkered history has brought us to this precipice, not by chance, but by design. Anthony Davis' Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.