The US has had awful and bloody riots over the years, deadly confrontations over race and democracy. During President Trump’s tenure, there have been fierce conflicts in Los Angeles, Portland and Washington DC, largely as a result of measures he has introduced which many view as anti-democratic.
Mr Trump and his administration have decried these as the work of the radical left and claimed that even peaceful protesters are trying to undermine the country.
Of course, that wasn’t the case with the violent January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol by rioters he called "patriots".
Inciting the latest unrest are the efforts of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement organisation, Ice, to arrest thousands of apparently illegal immigrants — we say apparently, because some targeted have been US citizens dragged away forcefully and held illegally.
The targeted and cruel raids by Ice employees and other federal agencies on immigrant communities across the States have descended into chaos, as anyone with half a brain could have told Mr Trump — although perhaps, as usual, that is precisely what he wants.
Under the direction of Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and of deputy White House chief of staff Stephen Miller and border boss Tom Homan, thuggish untrained agents wearing face coverings and using unmarked vehicles have been authorised to intimidate and be able to enter homes without warrants.
They have bludgeoned their way around communities with a violence first, ask questions later approach. They have hauled off parents and left young children in cars alone. It makes you wonder how they treat their own families.
As they have met increasing resistance from residents, and their actions to warn others Ice is coming, agents have quickly resorted to using pepper spray, teargas, flash-bang grenades and rubber and foam bullets against anyone in their way, regardless of age.
While many Americans had given the Trump administration at least tacit support for removing illegal immigrants, there are signs the tide may be turning given Ice’s increasingly spiteful and lawless tactics. Tragically, it has taken the deaths of two Minneapolis residents, both shot by federal agents, to perhaps catalyse that change.
On January 7, Renee Good was killed by an Ice agent who said he fired in self-defence after she tried to ram him with her car. Video footage, however, shows she turned the steering wheel away before she was shot.
This week, Alex Pretti, who was armed, was shot multiple times during a protest. The Trump administration claims he brandished a handgun at agents, but video shows the gun was removed from his waistband and then he was shot while pinned to the ground.
In New Zealand, the thought of anyone turning up to a protest with a loaded gun is hard to comprehend. In the US, though, people have a right to bear arms.
The administration’s attempts to rewrite what happened, the brazen lies, the manipulation, smacks of the worst of propaganda.
Of all the horrors of Ice and of what is going on in the US, this twisting of the truth is perhaps the most disturbing aspect in terms of its repercussions.
Former presidents tend to go quietly into that good night. But in the wake of the Minneapolis shootings, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton have spoken out, saying enough is enough and this should be a turning point for the nation away from the perils of authoritarianism.
Mr Trump is losing his grip on supporters and a growing number of Republicans are horrified.
Is it possible that, in the midst of such terrors, we can take at least a small amount of comfort that good may be starting to push back against the growth of evil in the US?
