Is the U.S. becoming a police state?

The yellow flag bearing a coiled snake and the words “Don’t Tread on Me” was once a revolutionary symbol against British tyranny. During Biden’s term, it reemerged among Trump supporters, signaling widespread fears of government overreach. With Trump in charge again, many feel the same way on the other side of the political spectrum.

There are several signs commonly associated with a police state. Here are a few of them as they apply today:

•Suppression of dissent: Pressuring media, defunding institutions like Harvard, strong-arming law firms, deploying propaganda, and using the Justice Department against political opponents.

•Surveillance and control: Militarized responses to protests and centralized data collection on citizens with DOGE.

•Undermining legal systems: Verbally attacking judges, ignoring court rulings, installing loyalist judges, and pardoning allies, supporters, and donors.

• Enforcing loyalty: Purging non-political employees from government, hiring only loyalists for traditionally apolitical positions, and pursuing agents tied to Trumprelated investigations.

•Trump has relied heavily on executive orders—330 of which have faced legal challenges, with many struck down in court. His approach pushes legal and institutional boundaries in pursuit of greater control.

The biggest test may come if he tries to use the military against civilians. The question then becomes: Will the commanders and soldiers be courageous enough to uphold the Constitution or will they simply “follow orders”?

Chippewa Falls