Does anyone doubt that America’s president is an authoritarian grifter? Or that his presidency and its people lust after authoritarian power and its spoils? At least after its spoils? Or that an authoritarian/grifting presidency leaks down to the very local level, voluntarily or by command?

Our local paper, The Suffolk Times, offers “News & Information for the North Fork” of Long Island. The front page headline of the July 16, 2026, issue reads:

“Secret Service flags
farmer for message
Agents drive to Mattituck over anti-Trump sign.”

The hero/victim of the story is Douglas Cooper, a well-established 78-year-old local farmer with a farm stand. He describes himself as a “moderate liberal Republican.” He has been vice-president of a local Board of Education for years, an elected position. As he seems to do habitually, he lofted a large American flag around the 4^th of July. Then, far less habitually, he posted a signed over it reading “86 47.” 

For many “86” now means getting rid of something noxious, specifically, “47” or the 47^th president of the United States.

For many, to say or write this is a mild expression of freedom of speech. Not for the minions of “47,” who wildly interpret this as a call for an assassination, which then gives them permission to go after people. 

 On July 7, a black Jeep Grand Cherokee ferried two Secret Service agents to the farm to question Mr. Cooper about the sign, his politics, his intentions.

Luckily, a relative was there to film the visit. Two questions are obvious: 1) How did the Secret Service know about Mr. Cooper’s flag and sign? Was there a local snitch, or were ICE agents, already in the area, looking for as much trouble as possible? 2) Why did the Secret Service question Mr. Cooper at all?

Mr. Cooper was gracious about the visit and said the Secret Service men were “… courteous… nice…”  

I am not gracious. Nor should anyone be. Despite the restrained treatment given to Mr. Cooper, this is the surveillance state in action. This is our country now.