King Charles I, who ruled England from 1625-1649, jailed, tortured, and executed English citizens who not only refused to swear an oath of allegiance to him and the Church of England but actively protested against them.

Much of Charles’ dirty work was instigated and administered by his clerical henchman, Archbishop William Laud. Charles’ tyrannical actions led to increasing conflict with his revolutionary Parliament, eventually leading to Civil War in 1642 between the Parliamentary forces under Oliver Cromwell and the King’s forces.

Cromwell’s army defeated the King’s. Charles was captured, imprisoned, placed on trial. When interrogated by his Parliamentary prosecutors, Charles denied Parliament’s authority to judge him, arguing that he answered to none but to God alone. Charles was publicly beheaded on 30 January 1649. England was then reconstituted as a Commonwealth under Oliver Cromwell.

John Milton, poet, revolutionary, and member of Cromwell’s government, was likely present at the Charles’ execution. About this time, Milton published his controversial pamphlet entitled The Tenure of Kings and Magistrates defending the regicide, stating “That it is lawful, and hath been held so through all ages, for any who have the power to call account to a tyrant or wicked king, and after due conviction, to depose and pit him to death if the ordinary magistrates have neglected or denied to do it.” [Italics mine.]

Even though many millions of Americans would be happy to see Trump called to account and placed on trial, the key question for America 2026 is “do the people have the power?” The Congress and Supreme Court have been neutered, the military has been top-trimmed and divided, large corporations have been co-opted and corrupted, Trump has spent billions to outfit his private army, to the extent that they outgun the nation’s police forces.

“The people” are unattended. Will popular outrage be sufficient to persuade Trump to disband his storm troopers? Urge them, at least, to behave lawfully? Doubtful. The protest marches, reporters’ onsite descriptions, TV and online commentary and satire, and iPhone witness of ICE’s murderous actions should have been compelling. But they were not. Worse yet, the ridiculous and insulting responses of Trump, Noem, and their cohorts defy reason, frustrating and disheartening Americans even more.

In short, the audacity of ICE’s violence is exquisitely partnered with the audacity of Trump’s and Noem’s lies about ICE’s agency in these deaths, especially in the face of irrefutable audio/visual evidence and eye-witness testimony.

Perhaps peace will win out and non-violent resistance will work. Perhaps. Still, it would be nice if we the people had its government and its army with us. . .and not against us.

Then Tyrant Trump, like Charles I, would be brought to trial.

_________________________