Predictably, the Democrat-backed riots in some urban centers, particularly in Seattle and Portland, escalated over the weekend. Those riots are fueled by the deliberate inaction of local and state Demos. As was and remains the case in Minneapolis, the epicenter of the “burn, loot, and murder” movement, and a model for political inaction, the objective of the “systemic racism” charade is to label Donald Trump as both its benefactor and beneficiary.

The leftists justify pulling back police by asserting they are part of the racist problem. That has forced President Trump to send in federal officers to augment local efforts to defend critical federal infrastructure, making those officers and locations high-profile targets for the hater mobs. The Demos and their Leftmedia propagandists then characterized those federal law enforcement officers as “Trump troops,” giving mayors an opening to blame-shift the urban violence they are fomenting, and the resulting fear and misery, to Trump.

Seattle’s socialist mayor, Jenny Durkan, declared: “The President unilaterally deploying paramilitary-type forces into American cities should concern all Americans. His blatant disregard for the constitution — and for the safety and well-being of our residents — is textbook despotism.”

At the same time, Durkan’s police chief, Carmen Best, sent an open letter to Seattle’s businesses and residents, warning that the mayor and her city council have thrown their constituents to the wolves. Best advised: “Please know that the City Council Ordinance 119805 Crowd Control Tool goes into effect this weekend on Sunday, July 26, 2020. This ordinance bans Seattle Police officers the use of less lethal tools, including pepper spray that is commonly used to disperse crowds that have turned violent.”

Chief Best, a black female Democrat whose job is subject to Durkan’s pleasure, wrote that her officers have “NO ability to safely intercede to preserve property in the midst of a large, violent crowd.” Best had previously and boldly come to the defense of her officers in June, after Durkan ordered they abandon the police department’s East Precinct. Durkan then allowed anarchists to occupy six downtown blocks and declare an autonomous zone — which she did not order the police to clear for weeks.

Best also put Durkan’s city council on formal notice with a letter asserting, “It is a fact that there are groups and individuals who are intent on destruction in our City,” adding, “two recent events have included wide-scale property destruction and attacks on officers, injuring more than a dozen, some significantly.” She concluded: “Under these circumstances, as created by Council, we cannot manage demonstrations as we have in the past. If I am not allowed to lawfully equip officers with the tools they have been trained to use to protect the community and themselves, it would be reckless to have them confront this level of violence under the current legal restrictions imposed by Council.”

Fortunately for the citizens of Seattle, whose lives and businesses have been turned upside down by the “peaceful protesters,” a U.S. District judge issued a temporary restraining order against the City Council’s ordinance Saturday morning — just in time for the Saturday night riots. Those riots resulted in 47 arrests and 59 officers injured.

As for the consequences of being abandoned by Durkan and her city council over the last six weeks, some residents and business owners are now filing suit against the city.

And a footnote on self defense: According to FBI background checks for gun purchases, lawful purchase of firearms in those Democrat-controlled states that allow citizens to defend themselves is up significantly.

Footnote: On 10 August, Seattle’s leftist council actually voted to defund the police, prompting Chief Best to exercise another principled act – she resigned.