Birthday, Bloody Birthday

By Yiannis Damellos

Two Democratic legislators from Minnesota and their spouses were victims of targeted attacks by a lone Republican voter. One legislator and her husband are dead, while the other is in serious condition alongside his wife. The shooter remains at large. In a separate incident, another Republican voter plowed into a crowd at a "No Kings" protest in Virginia, striking at least one person. Additionally, a third "enraged" Republican opened fire during an anti-Trump protest in Salt Lake City, seriously wounding a man, while in Texas, authorities arrested a suspect linked to threats against lawmakers attending the Austin protest, prompting a brief evacuation of the state capitol.

These violent acts reflect the heavy toll Americans are paying for a President whose ego led him to desire a military parade in authoritarian fashion to celebrate his birthday, following his deployment of troops to suppress protests in Los Angeles. His actions have ignited nationwide demonstrations and deepened the already significant divide within American society.

Police in Virginia arrested 21-year-old Joseph R. Checklick for allegedly driving an SUV into a crowd at an anti-Trump "No Kings" protest in Culpeper on Saturday. Witnesses reported that he "intentionally accelerated" into the dispersing crowd, striking at least one person. Fortunately, there were no immediate reports of injuries. Checklick was charged with reckless driving and is being held without bond at Culpeper County Jail.

This incident coincided with tragic events in Minnesota, where Democratic state House leader Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed in targeted attacks. Law enforcement has identified 57-year-old Vance Luther Boelter as the primary suspect in the shocking killings of the Minnesota House DFL leader and her husband. Following a police shootout at Hortman’s home, Boelter allegedly fled and texted friends, saying, "I love you guys, I made some choices... I’m going to be gone for a while. May be dead shortly." 

Now at the center of a massive manhunt, Boelter has a varied background, including work in food service, missionary efforts, and local politics. He reportedly impersonated a police officer in tactical gear before the shootings. Drew Evans, superintendent of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, confirmed that Boelter is armed and dangerous. The FBI has offered a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to his arrest and conviction, sharing images of him wearing a mask as he approached one of the crime scenes.

Meanwhile, in Texas, authorities arrested a suspect linked to threats against lawmakers attending the Austin protest, prompting a brief evacuation of the state capitol.

Also, in Salt Lake City, one person was critically injured in a shooting during the "No Kings" protest, which drew about 10,000 marchers. The suspect, who also sustained a gunshot wound, was taken into custody along with two others. Police indicated there is no ongoing threat to the public, and the motive for the shooting remains under investigation.

Governor Spencer Cox and Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall condemned the violence, emphasizing the importance of safety during peaceful demonstrations. The protests were part of nationwide events marking President Trump's birthday and coincided with recent anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles. Prior to the shootings, the Salt Lake protest had been peaceful, with police present to ensure safety.

Immigration raids continue in LA

Finally, in LA, the ‘Mexican Beverly Hills’ still reels from Trump immigration raids, forcing some citizens to carry passports. With its stately homes and bustling business districts, Downey, the Southeast L.A. County city of more than 110,000 people, has been roiled this week by ICE immigration raids, sparking both fear and outrage.

Tensions rose again downtown late Saturday afternoon as Los Angeles Police Department officers on horseback pushed back hundreds of protesters from the Federal Building, charged into the crowd on horseback, fired tear gas canisters and shot less-lethal munitions.

The LAPD issued a dispersal order around 4 p.m., saying some protesters were “throwing rocks, bricks, bottles and other objects,” but few in the crowd seemed to realize the order had been given. Within minutes, police had cleared the area and moved people away from the troops.

Behold the Egomaniac

And none of this would have happened had the American President not ordered a military parade for his birthday after provoking the LA protests and sending the military to suppress his own folk. Trump hosted the largest military parade in decades in Washington, D.C., celebrating 250 years of the U.S. Army on his 79th birthday. Trump's parade featured nearly 7,000 soldiers, flyovers, and fireworks, drawing thousands of attendees, despite rain dampening turnout. The Republican president declared America the "hottest country in the world," promising it would soon be "greater and stronger than ever before." His "declaration" is literally the understatement of the century, for the US is not only hot. It is bloodied as well.