WARNING: CONTAINS SPOILERS

Star Wars: a worldwide classic. Even if you haven't seen a single one, you're likely familiar with the phrases, “No, I am your father,” or “May the Force be with you.” (Even if you don't know what they mean.)

Every film in the series takes place in a galaxy far, far away, as you might know, but they also beg the question:

Is this galaxy far, far away, or is it much closer than we think?

Rogue One isn't, according to Disney's CEO, a political story — but might it be?

A recent "Politico" article brings up this very issue. The United States is a democratic republic but, to a certain extent, we are an empire. For many years, the US has relied on its democratic powers and military strength which, in recent decades, is because of President Reagan’s strategy to outspend the Soviets in military and defense. We have the most technologically advanced military in the world right now and, according to "Business Insider" back in 2015, “the US will have a declared military and defense budget of $601 billion, which is more than the next 7 highest spending countries combined.”

If you were to rewatch the early "Star Wars" films, you would see a parallel with the US — the Empire — and ISIS in countries like Iraq and Afghanistan playing the part of the rebels, fighting for what they deem a “just” cause. The United States, like the Empire, has always believed that its cause(s) for entering a war(s) or declaring a war(s) is/are just, and most that members of government will try to give a justification for such. The US, as stated in the article, sees itself as the world’s peacekeeper and typically gets involved in matters that it probably shouldn’t have, just to attempt to keep the peace in the world... and to show off its might.

"Rogue One" has an early scene that's discussed in the first paragraph of the "Politico" article, and it gives way to further discussion and debate about how the US can Empire-like. The main characters, the rebels, are on a planet that is mostly a desert region (the Middle East) and are trying to evade the Empire’s Stormtrooper patrols and get to their objective as quietly as possible. The Stormtroopers are out in full force and patrolling the town where the rebels, who will do anything to defeat the Empire’s cause, begin a firefight.

The author of the article stated that immediately he made the connection; the connection that this movie, and, in particular, this scene, could have a modern-day reference to the United States’ peacekeeping missions in the hostile, anti-American, Middle East. In the Middle East, the US, especially stationed American soldiers, are so despised and are given little to no respect, much like how many in the "Star Wars" films despise the Empire and its army of shiny, white armored and well-equipped Stormtroopers.

“So this is how liberty dies…with thunderous applause," says Padmé Amidala after the Supreme Chancellor announces the beginning of the Empire. That quote seems to be fitting with the election of Donald Trump. The Empire was formed by Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, the leader of the Galactic Republic, who turned the Republic’s Senate against itself and declared that a new government be put forth: the Galactic Empire. 

Per Wikipedia, the Empire is described as a government based on "tyranny, xenophobic hatred of nonhumans, power projection through brutal and lethal force, and, above all else, constant fear.” For those who fear the Trump presidency, this description maybe hits the nail on the head for your idea of Trump’s America.

The other scary comparison between Trump and Emperor Palpatine is a quote from Palpatine that relates very heavily to a tweet that Donald Trump sent out for New Years. "Strike me down with all of your hatred and your journey towards the Dark Side will be complete," Emperor Palpatine said. So after seeing that, here's Donald Trump's tweet, maybe you will quickly see the comparison:

The United States is still a democratic republic in which we elect representatives “for the people, by the people,” and it's not an empire that seeks to destroy the galaxy. But I know now that I might watch "Star Wars" in a different perspective now than I had done in previous years. All I can say is, “It’s a trap!”