Paramilitaries are unofficial forces — Proud Boys, Klansmen, and what are commonly called “militas” are paramilitary orgs, in that they have structure and organization and ideological backing, but do not receive explicit governmental sanction and are not under direct governmental control. The Sturmabteilung supported Hitler and his ideals, but were not an arm of the German government at any point.
If you're a non-military federal agent who is masked when apprehending a civilian, the purpose is to shield yourself from civil consequence because your actions are likely unlawful.
It needs to be recognized that Trump is acting with legitimate authority. Everyone carrying out and implementing his policies believes he can do them. They’re not in rebellion; they are obeying state direction. It’s important to recognize what stage of fascism we are in.
The issue is future culpability, not current prosecution.
> They’re not in rebellion; they are obeying state direction. It’s important to recognize what stage of fascism we are in.
Irrelevant.
> It needs to be recognized that Trump is acting with legitimate authority.
SMH Fascism is not rebellion. Fascists are often elected and granted authority, in the vacuum they are responsible for. Kim Jong Un has legitimate authority, in the same vein.
This feels like you're trolling. Good luck with that.
Except, where he does. ICE+DHS+fragments of others are used as a paramilitary for specific and sweeping purposes. The welfare is pardoning away fines and liability for donors who enrich him. He's growing his base power, without being in full command of the nation. He's a populist. When it suits him, he'll hand out free bacon to the masses, while he supports porkbarrel for his oligarch friends.