The president was sitting behind the Resolute desk. Occasionally he looked down at notes. “We don’t know yet who is responsible for this cowardly act. Forensic evidence recovered at the scene will help us identify the perpetrators and, I’m confident, catch them. But this was the last straw.”

Here we go, I thought. It’s never good to run out of straws.

“To prevent these kinds of horrendous attacks on innocent Americans I have asked the appropriate law enforcement agencies, under the direction of Vice President Hunter, to begin detaining well-documented and confessed dissidents who by their words and deeds have created this hate-filled atmosphere that drives people to take such actions.”

I tried to breathe. Behind me I heard gasps and muttering.

“As I speak to you this has begun.” Wrightman emphasized that these people were not being arrested, and in most cases, they faced no criminal charges, but instead they were being “temporarily removed from the public debate until this crisis was over,” so their “harsh tones and inflammatory rhetoric” could cause no further harm.

As the camera slowly dollied in for the sincere close-up, he stated firmly that no one in his administration was accusing these people of being terrorists or even sympathizing with terrorists. “I can say without hesitation that many of them are good people and loyal Americans. They are well-meaning, no matter what so many of you might believe. But their misguided words and actions are hindering the efforts of your government to prevent…”

To prevent potentially dangerous rumors from spreading, to provide access to truthful information, he announced the creation of the dedicated White House network. It would be broadcasting to the American people twenty-four hours a day on local cable networks and social media platforms, rather than being filtered by the mainstream and small pond media.

The president spoke with appropriate solemnity for several more minutes before his closing God blesses. He gave his personal word that everyone taken into temporary custody would be treated with respect, would be well-fed, would be safely housed, and would receive all necessary medical treatment. Army bases would be used where possible, but in major cities centrally located office buildings would be used to house detainees. Occupied buildings would be emptied and converted into dormitory-style housing. Corporate tenants in designated buildings were being urged to vacate their office space immediately, and replacement space was being made available to them. I noted that he avoided referring to those people as prisoners.

As he finished, the camera held on his grim face, which slowly faded into an animated American flag blowing straight in a stiff wind. I just sat there looking at it, transfixed, stuck in place by the enormity of this announcement. Obviously the whole thing forced me to wonder if we had witnessed an actual assassination attempt or another administration ploy. It doesn’t matter, really, I thought bitterly. The end result is the same.

The roundups had begun.

16

Howie broke the silence. Without turning around, he said loudly, “Okay, everybody. Go home.”