When is it necessary to take the unserious seriously?
Or to put a finer point on it: what the hell are we supposed to do with QAnon?
The details of the conspiracy theory are preposterous, absurd, so fantastical that they immediately diminish anyone who attempts to reckon with them, even for the purposes of exposing their core silliness.
But a large cross section of Americans – as many as 30 million, according to a recent poll – believe in the central tenets of QAnon. They believe that “the government, media, and financial worlds in the U.S. are controlled by a group of Satan-worshipping pedophiles who run a global child sex trafficking operation.” They believe that “there is a storm coming soon that will sweep away the elites in power and restore the rightful leaders.” And they believe that “because things have gotten so far off track, true American patriots may have to resort to violence in order to save our country.”
Consider the implications of that statement – “true American patriots may have to resort to violence.” And while you’re considering that, keep in mind that gun ownership is skyrocketing in the U.S., which already leads the world in civilians who own firearms. (In fact, it’s not even close.)
Still, you might argue that QAnon is largely an internet phenomenon – the type of kooky movement that spreads thanks to the online disinhibition effect. When push comes to shove, you might assure yourself, keyboard warriors will never bear arms in the real world.
Maybe. But there’s growing proof to the contrary. Last week, a report out of the University of Maryland found that “79 QAnon followers have committed ideologically-motivated crimes in the United States.” And you’ll recall, of course, that QAnon-branded flags and clothing were sprinkled throughout the crowd that stormed the U.S. Capitol on January 6th, an act of violent rebellion that led to at least four deaths.
And then there’s the two elephants in the room. Two men – with mainstream credentials and the bonafides of high-level government résumés – who’ve fanned the flames of the QAnon movement in order to resurrect their own fledgling careers. Who’ve given nods and winks to the most outlandish theories while attempting to maintain a loin’s cloth worth of deniability. I’m talking about retired Lt. General Michael Flynn and former President Donald Trump.
Over the weekend, Flynn appeared at a Dallas event organized by a man dubbed “QAnon John.” An audience member – who shelled out at least $500 for a ticket – asked Flynn why the the type of military coup currently destabilizing Myanmar couldn’t happen in the U.S.
“No reason, I mean, it should happen here. No reason. That’s right,” Flynn responded.
The coup in Myanmar, by the way, has resulted in 800 civilian deaths. Nearly 5,000 citizens have been detained in overcrowded prisons where horrific treatment is routine.
But the crowd listening to Flynn in Dallas went wild with approval at the prospect of that type of violence coming to America. Indeed, the coup in Myanmar has been an odd obsession among QAnon die-hards, who find a common cause with the country’s military junta. Like Donald Trump, the junta claims their last election was undermined by voter fraud. Trump has used rhetoric and frivolous lawsuit to fight for his Big Lie. The junta is using bullets. Now Flynn thinks the U.S. should aspire to that type of bloody escalation.
Flynn later denied calling for a coup. To that I say: there’s video.
For Democrats – and thankfully, some Republicans – Flynn’s behavior over the last five plus years make him easy to dismiss. He’s led “Lock Her Up Chants” at Trump rallies. He’s peddled QAnon merchandise. He’s pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI, retracted that plea, and was ultimately pardoned.
But he’s hardly a nobody – he ran military intelligence in Afghanistan as President Obama was sending more American troops into the country. In that role, he became renowned for his ability to break up Islamist terrorist networks. That reputation helped him become the director of the Defense Intelligence Agency. Trump tapped him as his first National Security Advisor (it was a brief tenure). This legitimate professional experience – and a rheotical flair – make him a galvanizing force in the QAnon world.
So when Flynn plays footsie with a coup or calls for martial law – like he did in the aftermath of the 2020 election – it’s worth taking note. Flynn is a dangerous man – a trained intelligence operative – playing with dangerous ideas.
Which brings us to Donald Trump, a man whose emotional needs overpower his ability to rationally evaluate a given situation. Trump refuses to accept the results of the 2020 election – he lost – but he’s happy to accept the support of QAnon. “I understand they like me very much, which I appreciate,” he said last year.
He also appreciates a new thread of the ever-evolving conspiracy theory. According to members of the QAnon community – including former Trump lawyer Sidney Powell – Joe Biden will be removed from the Oval Office in August and Trump will be restored to the presidency. Apparently, the idea is that Mike Lindell, the pillow magnate, will finally get his day before the Supreme Court and he’ll present evidence that definitely establishes Trump as the rightful commander-in-chief.
It sounds ridiculous, but according to The New York Times’ Maggie Habberman, Trump is telling associates that he’ll be back in the White House later this summer.
This is where we’re at as a country.
It’s equal parts depressing and alarming. The “look-how-crazy-these-people-are” humor has been sucked right out of the situation.
The GOP is letting it happen. Republicans who’ve rebuked Trump, like Rep. Liz Cheney, have become pariahs within the party. Meanwhile, in state houses across the country, Republicans lawmakers are making it more difficult to vote.
Now talk of a military coup is in the air.
Where does this lead?
To predict the future, we need to have a firm grasp on the past. What motivates Q supporters? Why are Americans driven to political violence? How can we stop illiberalism from spreading within our borders? How do we maintain democracy?
These are all questions that might have been pondered by a commission investigating the January 6th insurrection. Republicans killed that inquiry. Now what?
We don’t know.