Stopping protests is a first critical step in dismantling democratic rights and protections.
The need for absolute power to govern effectively and protect the rights of the people is known as the "myth of the benevolent dictator"
Donald Trump may claim he is no dictator but watch his action, not what he says. He is seizing power in a number ways such as sending in military forces into major cities under the guise of reducing crime, terminating at will so-called independent agencies that may oppose him, withholding funds authorized by congress to be used by critical programs, suspending the rights of aliens, seeking control of economic policy, issuing presidential orders that are a clear violation of the constitution.
So don't be surprised when his "storm troopers" start jailing his enemies, taking guns from those that might oppose him, and suspending constitutional rights during the emergency.
And most Americans will support him after he suspends income taxes for the middle class, deports millions of "murders and rapist", a.ka. undocumented immigrants, takes over the Panama Canal, seizes Greenland, and grants statehood to Canada, and declares "America is Great Again."