Trump's Coup d'état.

[cosmicaug]

Is it a plan (whether realistic or not) to stay in office by

Stalling certification of EC votes
Declaring Martial Law
A coup (attempted or not)​

Isn't it already established that 2 lawsuits seek to block certification in 2 states (PA & MI)? Of course, the courts are laughing in his face since they are providing no justification.

 

[cosmicaug]

Relevant article:
https://www.lawfareblog.com/how-hard-it-overturn-american-election

 

[Safe-Keeper]

Recent events in the US have closed that academic vs real world feel gap. Now I understand better how regimes like that start to rise.

It's pretty scary.

When facism comes to America it will be holding a Bible and humping a flag. Or however the saying goes.

 

[Skeptic Ginger]

Re faithless electors:

Fox9

SCOTUS affirmed that state laws binding electors were constitutional. This ruling left in place laws in 33 states and the District of Columbia that bind electors to vote for the popular-vote winner.

That doesn't sound like it was only a ruling on the penalty.

Not sure what happens to the vote if they do it anyway. I would think Biden could file a lawsuit if it mattered.

 

[slyjoe]

Yeah he’s #2 to the president.

Thanks. Maybe I was thinking of the VP. I also read the SecDef is the "assistant" to the president.

 

[Trebuchet]

Moving on to the evidence-based fear mongering : What is Trump planning by changing the civilian heads of the Pentagon and other departments?

Is it petty revenge?
Is it to move the troops out from overseas and if so is it from (multiple votes allowed):

Germany
North Korea (maybe a parting gift to little Kim?)
Afghanistan
Iraq
Somewhere else​

Is it a plan (whether realistic or not) to stay in office by

Stalling certification of EC votes
Declaring Martial Law
A coup (attempted or not)​

South Korea, obviously rather than North.
No significant US Troops in Iraq any more, I think. Because Commie Muslim Obama pulled them out, although we have advisors there and are probably doing air stikes from elsewhere. Pulling them out of NATO countries, not just Germany is likely. South Korea very likely. Afghanistan not unlikely.

As for the second part, he wanted to send troops into Portland last summer but the SecDef forestalled him. Pretty much any sort of protest and he can do it now, Martial Law or no. That'll lead to more unrest giving him an excuse for nationwide martial law. Once that's declared opponents and journalists can be arrested.​

 

[Trebuchet]

In my opinion, Trump is too big coward to do anything drastic. He will do anything that he can get away with, though.

He's a physical coward. He's perfectly happy tell his supporters and the police to assault protesters. Like using other people's money, he's happy to shed other people's blood.

 

[The Atheist]

Isn't it already established that 2 lawsuits seek to block certification in 2 states (PA & MI)? Of course, the courts are laughing in his face since they are providing no justification.

That proves the courts are part of the conspiracy.

Get rid of them immediately.

 

[alfaniner]

Trump is installing loyalists in top positions of the military and Pentagon.

I've heard that referred to as "dictator moves". This of course follows all the "dick moves" he's been making since Day 1.

 

[AnonyMoose]

The "country before party" republicans no longer exist.

To be perfectly honest, I now question the sincerity of those words and if perhaps they've always been nothing more than lip service amidst the GOP. Because their actions over the decades (and even more so these past couple of decades) indicates that very thing, nothing but lip service fed to the masses to continue emoting the illusion of "for the people".

Bottom line, Trump cannot pull of a coup d'etat on his own. But with a little help from his friends (the above GOP that I mentioned), it is quite possible that he/they can pull it off. If he didn't think it was doable, he wouldn't be attempting to do so as we speak.

Let's be honest with ourselves here.... Every rule, every law, every policy, and every 'norm' can be turned on its head with the right maneuvers from the right group of individuals. Dump enough money, connections, and like-minded corrupt individuals into anything and anyone can turn the entire planet on its head if they so wish.

Just my 2 pence worth.

 

[sackett]

Somebody on FacePie opines that Donnie is bringing in Rent-a-Lackeys to destroy files. That sounds more likely than anything as manly as a coup.

 

[Mumbles]

1 - Continue to refuse to accept the result.
2 - Issue executive order banning the Electoral College from gathering.
3 - Wait for riots to start.
4 - Engage military to quell riots.
5 - Declare Martial Law.
6 - Accept Putin's congratulations.

Ta-da!

Not happening. Even the most recent appointments seem aimed more at covering up criminal activity than at any sort of coup. 2 and 4 on your list are flatly not going to happen. Expect Orange Badman to throw plates at walls, refuse to appear at any inauguration, and spend however long brazenly lying about his popularity - exactly the same as he did about his inauguration size, the "millions" of "illegals" voting in California, and so on. In other words, the same hissy fit he's been throwing for the past decade.

 

[Skeptic Ginger]

Relevant article:
https://www.lawfareblog.com/how-hard-it-overturn-american-election

Answers a lot of questions about states not turning over their state's votes.

 

[Skeptic Ginger]

Isn't it already established that 2 lawsuits seek to block certification in 2 states (PA & MI)? Of course, the courts are laughing in his face since they are providing no justification.

I think there are about 12 now, none of which have been successful.

 

[AnonyMoose]

Not happening. Even the most recent appointments seem aimed more at covering up criminal activity than at any sort of coup. 2 and 4 on your list are flatly not going to happen. Expect Orange Badman to throw plates at walls, refuse to appear at any inauguration, and spend however long brazenly lying about his popularity - exactly the same as he did about his inauguration size, the "millions" of "illegals" voting in California, and so on. In other words, the same hissy fit he's been throwing for the past decade.

Do you really truly honestly believe that this is just Trump throwing another hissy fit? Do you really truly honestly believe that the majority of the republican party would publicly air their fullblown support for something that amounts to nothing more than a hissy fit that has zero chance of getting anywhere?

Come on... surely you guys don't believe the GOP would be in support of something that has no means to an end?

The GOP are corrupt ********, yes, but they're not stupid corrupt ********. There's a difference.

 

[dirtywick]

Moving on to the evidence-based fear mongering : What is Trump planning by changing the civilian heads of the Pentagon and other departments?

Is it petty revenge?
Is it to move the troops out from overseas and if so is it from (multiple votes allowed):

Germany
North Korea (maybe a parting gift to little Kim?)
Afghanistan
Iraq
Somewhere else​

Is it a plan (whether realistic or not) to stay in office by

Stalling certification of EC votes
Declaring Martial Law
A coup (attempted or not)​

You know, who knows what's going to happen or what he's planning or thinking? I'm just saying, if you made a line and put 0 on one side and 100 on the other, and put your finger on it on how likely it is for Trump to stage a coup, after hearing he's restructuring the pentagon, FBI, and CIA, you'd have to move your finger more towards the 100 than the 0.​

 

[angrysoba]

I didn't think the Secretary of Defense was in the chain of command.

ETA: After reading a little bit, now I'm not sure.

Yeah he’s #2 to the president.

Thanks. Maybe I was thinking of the VP. I also read the SecDef is the "assistant" to the president.

This is why, I think, it is potentially worrying....

Why did Trump fall out with his defence secretary?
Mr Esper clashed with the president over the White House's attitude to the military during protests over racial injustice earlier this year.

As protests rocked the US following the death of black man George Floyd at the hands of police in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in May, Mr Trump threatened to use troops to suppress unrest.
In June, Mr Esper, a former army officer, said the use of active-duty forces was unnecessary, in remarks that were known to have displeased the White House.

Following the clash, it was widely-speculated that the president would fire the defence secretary, although on Monday Mr Trump gave no reason for his dismissal.

Link

Unnecessary? Or even illegal if the state governors don't want the US Army in its streets, right?

Would his replacement be more willing to allow Trump to do what wants in terms of deploying troops?

Oh well, maybe I am overthinking this, but it does seem the type of thing that someone might do if they wanted a compliant military in a coup, right?

 

[dudalb]

Yep, what next? Exhortations to buy rilfes and ammo and take up arms, presumably.

ALways as a last resort..and besides,target shooting is a fun hobby.
I just don't see Trump being able to pull off a coup of any kind in this situation.

 

[dirtywick]

Sure, a key first step would be controlling the military. Of course, there are many other steps he must take and many people have to cooperate with him to do so, none of which is very clear right now. He certainly has some full support, and some carefully worded support from a lot of people. At the same time, does anyone not see a world where Trump starts to demand an arrest warrant for Joe Biden and some of the GOP goes along with it?

 

[angrysoba]

ALways as a last resort..and besides,target shooting is a fun hobby.

Of course it is. Especially when the targets wear MAGA hats. LOL! Just kidding.

I just don't see Trump being able to pull off a coup of any kind in this situation.

I don't either, but his behaviour is looking pretty consistent with an attempt. I mean if you assumed he wasn't thinking of a coup, what would he do? And if he was thinking of a coup, what would he do? Which one does his current behaviour most resemble?