Written by Ben Meiselas
I asked Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner the question that should never even have to be asked of a sitting district attorney in the United States: what happens if Donald Trump tries to send the military to invade Philadelphia? By now, you know that Trump is openly fantasizing about sending troops into American cities like Philly, Chicago, and New York, cities he routinely attacks because they’re diverse, Democratic, and thriving in ways his regime despises.
This isn’t “law and order.” This isn’t a “crackdown on crime.” That’s just regime propaganda that legacy media uncritically regurgitates. These are the acts of a wannabe dictator, plain and simple. Trump, the 34-time convicted felon who cozied up to Jeffrey Epstein and pardoned traitors who attacked our government on January 6, dares to call himself the voice of law enforcement?! Give me a break! As Larry reminded us, Republican-led states have had higher murder rates for 24 out of the past 25 years. The GOP can’t keep their own communities safe, so their solution is to experiment with turning our cities into Fallujah? That’s not public safety. It’s authoritarian theater. And the media needs to stop giving this regime cover.
But Krasner didn’t flinch. He told me directly: if Trump’s troops or ICE agents commit crimes in Philadelphia—assault, kidnapping, unlawful restraint, obstruction, you name it—they can and will be prosecuted in Pennsylvania state court. And he reminded us: Trump can’t pardon them. Not now, not ever. They’ll have to answer to a Philadelphia jury. Krasner’s words were blunt: “If they f- around, they’re gonna find out.”
This is the courage we need. While too many in office still hesitate, leaders like Krasner, Governors Pritzker, Newsom, and Moore, and mayors across this country are showing us what it means to resist fascism in real time. History is watching. We don’t get do-overs here. Trump and his MAGA stooges want to normalize military crackdowns on American soil while covering up their own crimes, from January 6 to Epstein.
As Larry said, this is a fight about law, morality, and the very soul of our democracy. And if our elected officials can’t find the backbone to stand up, then it’s on us, the people, to show them the door.
Because at the end of the day, this isn’t complicated: America doesn’t need a dictator who sells golden sneakers and $100 Bibles. America needs fighters willing to stand up for truth, for equality, and for democracy.
Watch my interview with Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner above, or listen to it on the go on the MeidasTouch Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
