Is trumps rash of violence now in Portland for distractions?

[muriel_volestrangler]

5. You say yourself "I expect trump to intentionally escalate violence by abuse of his powers"

It's part of that. No, it's not a distraction; it's part of the campaign strategy of running as the "law'n'order" candidate. Snatching people off the street to make that place look like it's dangerous - paints him as "willing to do tough things", which he thinks his base and undecided voters want (true about the former, probably not the latter), may decrease turnout in those cities, may give him excuses to grab more power.

No, he's not intentionally hurting the Republicans; he is an authoritarian narcissist, and therefore thinks most people agree with him and want him to smash the libs. He has repeatedly told the police to rough up their suspects.