In recent times, chaos has reared its head on the streets of Minneapolis yet again, over four years after what many dubbed the “George Floyd summer of love.” These riots are seemingly endless, with each new outbreak shaking the city to its core and leaving citizens exhausted and bewildered. Observers can’t help but wonder whether this recurring lawlessness has something to do with the current leadership—or lack thereof—that has swept the nation under the Biden administration. The chaos serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for sound governance and the reinforcement of the rule of law, concepts that appear to be forgotten by some merely for political expediency.
Vivek Ramaswamy, an Ohio gubernatorial candidate, did not hold back in his assessment of the situation. He emphatically pointed out the nation’s right to criticize government through peaceful protest, but emphasized that the nation’s foundation—the rule of law—should always be respected. This distinction seems lost on many today, with protests all too often descending into outright mayhem. With over ten million illegal entrants flooding the country under Biden’s tenure, one might argue that these seeds of chaos were perhaps predictable—a costly product of lax policies.
It’s crucial to consider the role of state and local leadership in such situations. There are calls from every corner for law enforcement at all levels—federal, state, and local—to collaborate in solving these problems instead of frustrating each other’s efforts. Yet, who can be surprised when some political leaders, like Minnesota’s Tim Walz, seem more interested in undermining this collaboration than fostering it? It’s no wonder chaos brews when such leadership fails to support the very frameworks necessary to restore order and uphold civic peace.
Adding insult to injury, recent riots have even involved attacks on places of worship. The sanctity of churches as spaces for peace and reflection has been violated, with rioters transforming this sacred ground into arenas of discord. This offense is particularly shocking, given that freedom of religion and the ability to worship freely without fear are core tenets upon which this nation was built. When rioting becomes a tool to sow tyranny in the name of fighting tyranny, as Ramaswamy suggests, it is indeed a poignant example of forgetting to respect others’ rights while proclaiming to fight for one’s own freedom.
State leadership is more vital than ever, as these chaotic events in Minneapolis have shown us. Gubernatorial candidates like Ramaswamy recognize the importance of not allowing every sphere of life to be consumed by politics, preserving areas such as sports and worship as politics-free zones. These spaces are essential for maintaining the country’s fabric, offering common ground for unity in an increasingly polarized landscape. As Ramaswamy declares boldly, under his leadership, Ohio will not follow Minnesota’s path. Instead, Ohio aims to become a beacon of national unity, driven by mutual respect among all citizens. America’s strength has always been its people; it’s about time leaders remembered that.
