Politicians have always sworn, but it was not until recently that their blue language has made it into the public record.

Sometimes more talking doesn’t produce more clarity. One afternoon, Trump told reporters that there were “no surprises” when Republican Sens. Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski decided to oppose Pete Hegseth to lead the Pentagon. The next morning, Trump said he was “very surprised” by their votes.

There has not yet been a large-scale sweep by agents in any of those public spaces locally, but that hasn’t quieted fears. Rumors ricocheting across the region have for many begun to feel like a promise of what’s to come.