Could Trump declare martial law to try to steal the election?

[kurtcagle]

7. No

Trump could have (and arguably should have) declared martial law in April, when it was becoming obvious that the pandemic was out of control. This would have freed up military personnel to help manage the lockdown and enforce a quarantine for the couple of months it would have taken to get the virus under control. It would have been unpopular among his base, but it would have likely been effective in stopping the pandemic.

At this stage, however, he's lost the initiative, and any attempt to declare martial law would be met with near-universal resistance because it would be seen as being a political power grab in the face of having lost the election. He's also alienated the military, the national guard, and arguably even the quasi-legal LEO such as ICE or the DHS Capital Service.

Martial Law is also not a coup. There are times where it is necessary to declare martial law, typically during an emergency, and usually in very limited (and clearly defined) scope. What Trump has been contemplating has been a coup to remain in power, and he lacks the power base to make that happen.