Protesters Aren’t The Heroes, Law And Order Matter Now

Monday, January 19, 2026 — This piece runs through what’s driving the headlines today: protests that cross the line from civic action to lawlessness, federal and state friction over enforcement, headline-grabbing administration moves, judicial skirmishes affecting policy, and the policy debates shaping economics and benefits programs. You’ll get a clear, plainspoken Republican take on why some protesters aren’t heroes, why public safety matters, and how recent developments from Washington to the courthouse tie together.

Monday, January 19, 2026 — The holiday calendar means Capitol Hill is quiet, but the political and legal fights are loud. The president is traveling, key officials are on talk shows, and local unrest in places like Minneapolis keeps the national conversation fixated on law and order. Conservatives see a pattern: when authorities are constrained or politicians refuse to enforce the law, citizens pay the price.

On the policy front, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent appeared on Meet the Press and pushed back on some of the narratives driving late-night panic. His framing focused on preventing emergencies rather than reacting after markets or supply chains break down. That economic lens matters: it’s about anticipating risk and using tools—like tariffs where appropriate—to keep America competitive and secure.

Welker then pivoted to the role tariffs play in the discussion, questioning what “national emergency” might justify their use. Bessent explained that the goal here is to prevent an emergency. 

Meanwhile, the SNAP scandal in Minnesota remains a cautionary tale about weak oversight in welfare programs. When verification systems are outdated and politicians treat audits as a nuisance, taxpayers end up footing the bill for fraud. Fixing these problems requires political will, not rhetorical plate-spinning.

Minnesota’s scandal is dramatic, but it’s just the tip of the iceberg. When oversight is treated as a nuisance, taxpayers get left behind. Unemployment Insurance and SNAP are still riddled with weak spots. Outdated systems linger. Verification gaps fester. Politicians still flinch at demanding real reform, afraid they’ll look heartless.

The unrest in Minneapolis raises the same chores of governance in sharper relief. Reports of organizers interfering with law enforcement, harassing businesses, and assaulting journalists should alarm anyone who values civil society. Lawful protest has a place, but tactics that block police operations or target bystanders cross into criminality and undercut public sympathy for legitimate concerns.

Sortor was dragged down the street after he grabbed the handle of the car door. Sortor said his hand got trapped in the door. That looked exceedingly dangerous, and he’s fortunate he was okay after that — that he wasn’t seriously hurt. 

There’s an honest national debate to be had about immigration enforcement, sanctuary policies, and how local and federal authorities coordinate. But the easiest way to restore order is simple: respect the rule of law and cooperate on transfers of custody for criminal aliens. Politicians who refuse to do that are choosing chaos over accountability.

Walz and Frey could make this all go away instantly. Tom Homan made it clear that ICE would leave if both the cities and the state simply turned over the illegal alien criminals in custody. 

That they won’t turn over the worst of the worst and would rather have this chaos and violence instead tells you everything you need to know.

Courtrooms have been active and their decisions will shape the political terrain. A mix of wins and losses for different parties in recent rulings shows that litigation will remain a key battleground for policy disputes. Judges are not the final word on policy, but they can delay or complicate sound reforms, which matters politically and practically.

As for Washington’s itinerary, President Trump’s public appearances and a trip to Davos later this week keep him in the spotlight while his administration’s priorities move through hearings and public briefings. Conservatives watch closely for how messages on the economy, national security, and enforcement are delivered and defended in public forums.

There’s also a cultural angle: when media outlets sanitize or normalize harassment of worshipers, theft of equipment, or aggressive obstruction, they contribute to a narrative that excuses bad behavior. That’s not neutral reporting. It flips responsibility away from the perpetrators and onto law enforcement, which is the opposite of what communities need to feel safe and respected.

• If you’re using your vehicle to block law enforcement operations, you’re not the good guys.
• If you’re storming local businesses, like hotels and delis, to harass ICE agents (or anyone), you’re not the good guys. 
• If you’re stealing journalists’ cameras or other equipment, you’re not the good guys.
• If you’re disrupting worship services to stage your protests, you’re not the good guys.
• Oh, and if you’re “reporting” on the disruption of worship services and characterizing it as protesters exercising their First Amendment rights, you’re not the good guy(s) — and you just might be decidedly dumb.

Policy discussions on tariffs, welfare oversight, and enforcement all boil down to a single conservative principle: secure the nation, protect taxpayers, and hold wrongdoers accountable. That is the practical way to preserve liberty and order for all citizens, not to romanticize lawlessness in the name of protest.

“He the colors…”