19/08/2025
Into this vortex of chaos stepped Richard Nixon. While Nixon is often criticized for using the phrase “law and order” as a coded message, the reality is that far from it being “coded,” he overtly framed the issue as being directly related to the civil rights movement–but as its ally. In 1966, targeting a Southern audience, Nixon authored a column on “Law and Order.” Here are a selection of excerpts that demonstrate Nixon may have understood this situation better than any politician:
"Continued racial violence and disorders in the cities of the nation will produce growing disenchantment with the cause of civil rights–even among its staunchest supporters…"
From mob rule, it is but a single step to lynch law and the termination of the rights of the minority…"
"In short, if the rule of law goes, the civil rights laws of recent vintage will be the first casualties."
More:
Richard Nixon Foundation
The historical illiteracy of what ended segregation.