A very stark warning

[Soph0571]

The scary thing is that none of this is hyperbole!

[GemDigger]

1. Hi Soph, we cannot forget that the republicans were talking about taking to the streets

with their guns when President Obama was elected, if Hillary got elected, if we went after their guns, as well as a dozen different instances. They have not shut up about it (here we are several years later) and they are still itching for that civil war.

We may not be at the other site with them any longer but they are still on lock n load status.

[Still In Wisconsin]

2. You're right, and Trump knows he will probably face prosecution immediately after leaving office.

Because Trump cares only about Trump, I believe there is no way he will peacefully leave office if defeated by a Democrat. I'm guessing his thought process is something like this: "I'll stay in office for two terms, and if I can't finagle a way to get a third term, I'll have Ivanka elected, who will then protect me for the next eight years, and so on..."

[world wide wally]

3. Trump would just find a place to hide and egg on his MAGAts

[brush]

26. Yeah. It won't happen. trump talks big but is a coward. He'll go in the middle of the night...

and might try to egg on his followers. But he'll leave the WH or get dragged out.

[durablend]

4. Going with what a few other people said...

He'll claim that Russia *did* cheat this time and the whole election needs to be nullified.

[Celerity]

8. +10000

[Bettie]

5. Unfortunately, I suspect that

Republican leaders would support him not leaving office, to the point of declaring him President for Life and getting the SCOTUS to agree to that (5/4, mind you).

[lunatica]

9. It's possible that at the same time he gets voted out

so do enough Republicans that we are the majority in both Houses. That would change the power dynamics. Sure, there would still be a struggle, but the majority would win.

[Nasruddin]

16. But it's not likely

The Senate is a high hill to climb. I think it's more important than the presidency. A Democratic Majority Leader could McConnell a 2nd-term dementia-ridden Trump administration. However, focus is on the glamor job.

When he loses (or appears to) in Nov 2020 Mr Trump and his enablers will tie up every state he loses in with lawsuits and attempt to delay or make it impossible for the electors to cast their ballots. Kind of a reverse-2000 strategy. They will then create a constitutional crisis for the Supreme Court and House to sort out. Dropping the choice into the House would be very ugly given the way the 12th Amendment describes the procedure.

[watoos]

17. He will pull another Bush v Gore

and let the SC pick the president. He could get his deplorables to hit the streets and then he could declare martial law. He is putting all his cronies in positions of power in the military and intelligence agencies. Who would the military back should Trump refuse to step down?

[fescuerescue]

22. These scenarios come up every 4 years

like clockwork. Thankfully it's just all been Internet talk.

However if it should ever happen, you identified the aspect that will make the difference "Who would the military back should Trump refuse to step down?"

In every coup, it doesn't come down to what the courts decide or voters decide, it comes down to whom the military leaders choose to follow.

[lunatica]

27. Well he's done a great job alienating the top brass

It’s always surprised me how much. All dictators know they need the military to enforce the coup.

[TheRealNorth]

6. I honestly think we have to be prepared to make him leave

Why are we relying on Republican leaders to do the right thing, when it should be obvious at this point that they won't.

It's insanity at this point to think Republicans are going to change their stripes.

[lunatica]

10. It's a general elections which means those Republicans will

be voted out and the majority would be Democrats in both Houses.

That changes everything.

[TheRealNorth]

11. But what if they refuse to recognize the results on general

Not only that, they are still in power until January even if they are voted out. But my guess is IF they are willing to go so far as not recognize the results of a presidential election, they probably wouldn't recognize other election results if they don't like the results.

To be honest, though, I am more worried about them rigging the elections than about them refusing to to accept the results. Hell, this way, if the rigging isn't enough, they would know where to look to prove the election was rigged (They would of course leave out who was doing the rigging).

[fescuerescue]

23. There is a word for that

coup.

Possibly followed by civil war.

No matter who wins, everybody loses.

[lunatica]

7. Trump could always go to a non extraditing country

He could promise them some Trump Towers, hotels and golf clubs.

Wherever he goes he could just do business as usual.

[ProudMNDemocrat]

12. If all his assets are frozen, the entire Trump family is fucked......

Should Trump actually do that. Freeze all the Trump financial assets and seize his properties for back taxes due.

[LiberalArkie]

15. I doubt that very little is held in the US.

[patphil]

14. Maybe Rand Paul could give him that unused ticket to Somalia.

[SCVDem]

13. There are not enough SS agents

To protect him if he trys a hostile take over of America!
Too many veterans will fight this Domestic foe!

We took an oath to that purpose.

What are they going to do, gun down thousands of us in the streets?

[watoos]

18. The miitary backs Trump.

[fescuerescue]

24. Well that's what a civil war looks like

It would be a military conflict unless the military leadership is 100% anti-trump.

Which is think is HIGHLY likely, but not absolutely certain. All it would take would be one four star General who saw things the other way, and then the situation devolves rapidly.

[study war no more]

19. First, he has to lose

he will lie, cheat, steal... do anything to stay in power. What makes anyone think this election will be valid anyway?

[AtheistCrusader]

20. An interesting point in light of the outcome of the 2000 election.

[sl8]

21. Source:

From https://www.wbur.org/cognoscenti/2019/07/30/2020-partisan-divide-austin-sarat

Is America Heading For Another Civil War?

July 30, 2019
Austin Sarat

[...]

More immediately, there is work for both Democrats and Republicans to do.

Moderators in the next Democratic presidential debate should press candidates to say whether they are ready to accept the legitimacy of a president they call a racist threat to our way of life.

Republican leaders need to acknowledge that Trump might not leave office willingly. They must make it clear to the president that he will find no support among members of his party if he does not accept the 2020 results.

Without advance planning and clear assurances from the president and his potential Democratic opponents concerning the peaceful transfer of power, Americans face the frightening prospect that in 2020 and beyond we may find ourselves (perhaps in the streets, perhaps not) in a new civil war.

Emphasis added to portion quoted in meme.

More at link.

[paleotn]

25. He's a bully...

And a paper tiger. A loud mouth and little else. Dangerous when in control of the levers of government, but there's ways around that.
We've seen that already. Other than a smattering of white supremist terrorists types, his base is mainly old, dumb and can barely get off their couches. Just like their leader, they're a frightened bunch who are more apt to piss their pants at the first sign of danger than anything else. I've known the type all my life. I don't fear them. Loath them, but don't fear them. He'll leave still spouting crazy shit, but only a tiny few will actually be listening.

[stillcool]

28. the way he's going after people...

is purposeful...but for what purpose? I don't think it's attraction, distraction, but I find it ominous. The way Moscow Mitch is not dealing with our insecure elections systems is ominous as well. Their plans are underway, but we have to plan too. We don't have Russia, but we do have a majority of Americans.