What if I told you a group of violent anarchists took over eight blocks of a downtown city, banished law enforcement, started shaking citizens down, and even garnered their own warlord? You’d probably call that an insurrection, right?

Well, that’s exactly what’s going on in Seattle right now. As my colleague streiff wrote earlier today, things are already well out of hand.

Here’s a taste of the reporting on the ground showing what’s happening.

Sources tell me there are those in the #CapitalHillAutonomousZone who are “shaking down” businesses by asking them to contribute supplies or resources. When there was the occupation in Portland in 2018, they threatened a food cart that wouldn’t give them electricity access.

— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) June 10, 2020

The antifa #CapitalHillAutonomousZone in Seattle has a subreddit set up. They are posting about making homemade chemical weapons, maintaining supply lines, & how to use those armed with guns to push police back. #antifa @FBISeattle pic.twitter.com/gDub2G49KU

— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) June 10, 2020

Source on the ground: “They bar media from entering and screen people coming in. They are walking around fully armed. Talking about making their own currency and making their own flag.” #antifa https://t.co/w4d0a3WPGC

— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) June 10, 2020

Their own currency and flag? Their own armed guards maintaining “order?” Yeah, that’s pretty much an insurrection.

Of course, from an outsider looking in, some of this is actually fairly comical.

Seattle’s “#autonomouszone” was created to be a self-sustaining, police free zone.

In one day, they ran out of food, and a warlord declared himself the new police. Violence (now w/o accountability) ensues. Well done everyone. pic.twitter.com/e9PeefF0qg

— Jessica Fletcher (@heckyessica) June 11, 2020

These revolutionaries couldn’t even manage to feed themselves for more than 24 hours. The peace and love they were all hoping to spread has turned into more violence. Meanwhile, nothing they are doing is sustainable.

But I think we have to look past how stupid this all is, because precedents that are set have long lasting consequences. What kind of country allows a bunch of people to take over entire parts of a city, including the capital building? Where’s the line, and how long do you let this cosplaying as Bolsheviks carry on before it encourages more people to try this? Portland has already had a similar issue, with Antifa essentially running areas of the city.

Meanwhile, here’s what the Gov. of Washington is worried about.

What happened in Georgia yesterday is not what democracy looks like.

Every American in every state should be able to vote by mail. We’ve made it a reality in Washington and it’s time to make it a reality across the nation.

— Jay Inslee (@JayInslee) June 11, 2020

I think President Trump needs to give the mayor and governor one more day. If they don’t clear this out and restore order by tomorrow evening, then it’s time act from a federal level. I’m not suggesting lethal force be used, and I suspect that wouldn’t be necessary. What I am suggesting is an overwhelming show of manpower to clear the streets and start arresting people.  There are people and businesses in these areas. It’s an abdication of one’s constitutional duty for our elected officials to keep sitting idly by.

Further, every single person participating needs to be charged, perhaps with federal crimes such as sedition if applicable. The hammer needs to come down hard to show future ambitious Antifa groups that this won’t be tolerated. This is the United States of America, not a third world country. None of this has to do with George Floyd at this point and that shouldn’t be used as an excuse to let it continue. The responsible citizens of Seattle pay their taxes and follow the rules. They should not be abandoned to fluff some communist delusion. It’s time to end this.