RantCrush Top 5: April 19, 2017

After Turkey’s referendum to give President Recep Tayyip Erdogan more power passed over the weekend, protests have broken out each evening. Last night, a crackdown on the protesters began in earnest–at least 38 dissenters have either been arrested or have had warrants issued for their arrest. Erdogan has been consolidating power–in a manner that many have dubbed authoritarian–since a failed 2016 coup.

After the referendum, President Donald Trump called Erdogan to congratulate him, which is potentially problematic given that concerns about the legitimacy of the referendum still abound.

Trump called Erdogan to congratulate him on winning a referendum that will cement his autocratic rule over Turkey https://t.co/ViyiyzR036

— The New York Times (@nytimes) April 18, 2017

Anneliese Mahoney

Anneliese Mahoney is Managing Editor at Law Street and a Connecticut transplant to Washington D.C. She has a Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs from the George Washington University, and a passion for law, politics, and social issues. Contact Anneliese at amahoney@LawStreetMedia.com.