The fear, the anxiety, the frustration that had been pent up for more than two weeks was suddenly let loose. People trying to get out of the area knocked down other people moving into the area. Fights broke out, forcing NYPD officers to wade into the crowd, waving their batons, to restore order. Dozens of people were arrested and hundreds more were temporarily detained.

The first photographs of the “West Side Uprising!” to spread virally showed a man holding an anti-Wrightman sign falling under the hooves of a large police horse. Videos posted on YouTube were equally confusing; it was impossible to determine if the cops were attacking or protecting people. Within hours, demonstrations in support of the “New York Twenty” had popped up in more than a dozen cities. Other rallies were planned. The general anxiety people were feeling was suddenly channeled into an anti-Wrightman fervor.

Somebody inside the White House decided that these demonstrations had to be stopped while they were still small. Having learned the lessons taught by the Trump administration during the Black Lives Matter protests, the administration set out its legal case. Two nights later, the president made the first of what were to become regular fireside chats. It was broadcast from his suitably rustic cabin. He was sitting in a rocking chair in front of a gray-stone walk-in fireplace, a portrait of a rippling tattered flag hanging above the mantel. Although it was late July, a fire was crackling in the hearth and Wrightman was wearing a friendly sweater. It was a beautiful setting, obviously carefully planned to reinforce those basic American values designed by Ralph Lauren. I had no doubt there had been long discussions in the press office whether he should rock or sit still.

He sat still. After the patriotic introductions he asked patriotic Americans for their understanding, pointing out, “It would be a grave injustice to the sacred memories of those brave Americans who perished in the attacks if we allowed a small number of rabble-rousers to desecrate their sacrifice to further their own political agenda.”

Of course not, thought your humble Mr. Cynic. What type of man would use dead Americans for political gain? Wait a second … I was with several staff members watching this speech at Lucille’s Ballroom. Lucille, all of her, was sitting directly across from me.

Wrightman continued: “In previous administrations we saw the terrible damage that could be done by dividing us. On Inauguration Day I gave you my solemn word that I would bring us together as the truly…”

Here he paused for dramatic effect, then enunciated carefully: “… United States of America. In this, our most vulnerable hour, we must prevent our enemies from ripping us asunder. To prevent that from happening, I have asked the Justice Department to issue a directive to all state and local law enforcement reminding them that they are our first defenders and asking them to continue playing a vital role in protecting and preserving our freedoms.”