@cstross Maybe, but that would be a dangerous gamble on Trump’s part. And too much effort, from his perspective; better to let the protests burn themselves out than throw down and risk waking up the people with guns – who aren’t all MAGA – that the final crackdown’s upon them. He’d need the military to restore order, and a lot of them are pissed at Hegseth already.
He might haul the protesters into court, but that would take time. Biden spent years going after the January 6 rioters. He’d be occupied with that well into the midterms, and he can’t rig them all. Kangaroo courts would require Congress to play ball, and they’re already wavering on the tariffs; I don’t see enough of the GOP going for it to maintain their discipline in the House, even with them intimidated as they are.
Basically, I don’t think he’s consolidated power yet to try anything too drastic. If he had, he’d have done something already, but instead he’s going golfing. I expect them to try to find visa/green card holders and have them deported, but that might be it for now.