In defending the government’s violence in Venezuela, White House aide Stephen Miller recently said:
“We live in a world, in the real world… that is governed by strength, that is governed by force, that is governed by power… These are the iron laws of the world since the beginning of time.”
As a Quaker, a peace scholar, a mother, and an ordinary human being, I disagree. I do not know what “real world” Miller and the Trump administration live in or are trying to create. But people of faith know that a much deeper and more lasting power exists than the temporary victories that military force and violence might provide.
This is not a naive or idealistic view of the challenges we face. Our communities and the governments, kingdoms, and nation-states we have created have a long history of war, violence, tyranny, and oppression.
In the United States, militarism pervades our politics, economy, society, and culture. However, that is a choice—not a destiny. We make different choices all the time.
In the United States, militarism pervades our politics, economy, society, and culture. However, that is a choice—not a destiny. We make different choices all the time.
In Venezuela, the Trump administration chose to attack a sovereign country, kidnap its president, and forcibly take control of its oil industry. In doing so, the administration blatantly violated U.S. and international law. It tossed aside international norms and openly proclaimed its imperial agenda.
The Trump administration declared victory, but it is not successfully “running” Venezuela. It has no real plan for the real-world disaster it has sparked. It will certainly not bring peace, prosperity, or democracy to the Venezuelan people.
Here in the U.S., the White House’s militarized deportation campaign is also failing to address any real problems related to immigration. Two days after Miller’s remarks, an ICE agent fatally shot an innocent woman in Minneapolis, Rene Good. Several days later, agents also fatally shot an ICU nurse, Alex Pretti.
At home and abroad, the Trump administration has moved quickly to create its own world — one ruled by military force and shaped by lies. We are all paying the price for this. Even as I write this, Trump is threatening military action against Iran and has not given up on claiming Greenland.
In the real world, we know that the Trump administration is destined to fail in its military escapades abroad, as have previous administrations. History has proven repeatedly that the United States’ militarized approach to problems may bring swift short-term victories, but they are followed by long and painful outcomes.
After briefing Congress on its “plan” for Venezuela, some legislators questioned what world the administration was living in. “It’s like they’ll wave a magic wand, and things will turn out like they want,” said Rep. Jason Crow (CO-06). Sen. Chris Murphy (CT) described the plan as “insane.”
As the White House ramps up its reliance on violence, members of all political parties should remind the president how our country is meant to be governed.
In the real world, we have three equal branches of government that provide checks and balances to ensure our country is not ruled by corrupt dictators or dragged into endless wars. In the real world, only Congress can authorize military action, and only Congress can decide how to spend taxpayer dollars.
We as people of faith must use every opportunity to help our members of Congress shape the real world we believe in.
We as people of faith must use every opportunity to help our members of Congress shape the real world we believe in. We must keep speaking up and showing up, standing in solidarity, bridging divides, and building relationships.
Unlike Miller’s narrow vision of an iron law of violence, the real world is one where most people, most of the time, in most places, take care of one another. We want to make the world a little better for our children and grandchildren. In this real world, we want peace and safety for our families, our communities, and ourselves.
My real world is governed by the unyielding power of love and unending pursuit of justice. In this real world, we understand that our security is inextricably connected to the security of others and that injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.
In my real world, war is not the answer, and peace is possible—if we choose it.
Bridget Moix is also a regular columnist for the Religion News Service, where this was originally published. It has been edited for length.
