One of the men goes for her phone. The other grabs at her hands. Ozturk screams. Shock and fear ripple through her voice. Two masked women join them, tugging at her backpack, peeling the straps from her shoulders. “I’m going somewhere, I need to call someone,” she pleads. “We’re the police. Relax,” one of the men says in response.
They surround her. Then, one by one, they pull their neck gaiters up to cover their faces. “You don’t look like police,” a voice off screen says. “Why are you hiding your faces?” The questions continue, but the figures don’t respond. Instead, they cuff Ozturk, cross the street, and put her in an unmarked SUV. She is gone.
The failing was decades and centuries ago that led to this. Power has been consolidating in the presidency since the constitution was signed as the legislature and courts are happy to give more and more of their power over to the executive.
We’ve only been protected by being lucky having presidents and their staff with genuine care for the intent of the constitution.
This was only a matter of time. It wasn’t our fault. This is America.