What Could Happen if Donald Trump Rejects Electoral Defeat?

[Towlie]

Here's an excerpt from an interesting analysis by Masha Gessen in The New Yorker:

[Lawrence] Douglas argues that Trump’s evident intent to hold on to his office, regardless of the will of the voters, is not the best measure of the damage he has wrought or the power he has accumulated. He writes, “A more powerful authoritarian would never let himself get into this situation in the first place; he would have already so corrupted the process that his chance of losing would have been effectively eliminated.” By the standards of entrenched autocracies, Trump’s grip on power is as weak as his grip on reality. Still, the system of government that he has hijacked is not designed to protect itself against his kind of attack. “Our Constitution does not secure the peaceful transition of power, but rather presupposes it,” Douglas writes. Worse, the peculiar institution of the Electoral College, which separates the outcome of the election from the popular vote, practically invites abuse.

more...

There's a lot more, including examples from the past and imagined possible scenarios.

It appears that a victory may not be enough; we need to work toward an overwhelming landslide.

[duforsure]

1. The secret service would escort him out

If he refuses he could be arrested and charged for obstruction, and resisting. After dealing with him I would guess they would gladly take care of that for us.

[Merlot]

14. It won't be about trumpft staying in side the White House

What trumpft could do is unleash more Portland-style attacks on major cities, especially democratic leaning cities. He's already ramping up to do that now. He tried to get the military to do his bidding, which was a trial run to use the military to stay in office. That did't work, but with his band of ICE outlaws he thinks he can do the same thing. It won't work, but it could get very ugly.

[northoftheborder]

2. This article is too frightening for my tired brain to retain......

[FM123]

3. Very interesting (and disturbing) article.

BTW Masha Gessen is amazing, I believe it was on Rachel Maddow's show that I first saw them.

[beachbumbob]

4. we will continue to see such nonsense it instill worry and stress. Perfect russian bot fertile

ground as so many americans fall for bullshit

[Thekaspervote]

9. This!!

[vercetti2021]

12. I'm disappointed

People here should know better at this point. Once Biden is over 270. It is over. Dumpy can scream, cry, and wail that it's rigged. But it won't change anything. People really need to get off this notion that Trump will find a way to stay in or not leave. If he doesn't leave as the clock hits 12 PM on Jan 20th, 2021. He will be charged for trespassing on federal property and escorted from the WH.

[no_hypocrisy]

5. What if:

1. Donald Trump doesn't accept the Electoral College results, and

2. He goes off the rails during the supposed Lame Duck period to destroy the country? And

3. Leaves Joe Biden with an unbelievable mess to clean up?

[Hoyt]

6. Last thing I'm worried about in this election. GOTV and kick GOPer's rear.

[vercetti2021]

7. Easy

He still fucking loses, he will no longer be president at noon on January 20th, 2021. That's that. If Biden nets over 300 or even 400 ECV's. Trump loses, no matter if he doesn't accept it. He loses and that's how it is.

[Thekaspervote]

10. +1000

[malaise]

8. Why are people giving this ignorant fascist so much power

They'll drag his ass out and if and and his goons stand in the way, they will be arrested or shot fucking dead.

That is all

[lagomorph777]

11. "peculiar institution of the Electoral College" - nice turn of phrase

It references a euphemism for slavery. And there is a close connection. The math and structure of the Electoral College mimics that of the Congress, where states each get 2 Senators/Electors, in order to empower the slave states, which were predominantly rural, with small populations.

[Siwsan]

13. There's no requirement for him to formally concede.

If he starts trying to hold up the process, the courts and the legislature will have to step in and stop him. If they don't, it will bring the nation crashing down around us.

[unblock]

15. how can we go on our trip if little donnie throws a tantrum and refuses to get in the car?

every parent knows, little donnie can throw all the tantrums he wants, but it's not his call.

he doesn't have to like it, but he does have to go.

[mcar]

16. At noon on Jan 20, 2021, Trump will no longer be president

He will be escorted from the White House by Secret Service.

[OAITW r.2.0]

17. Imagine a million people surrounding the WH from election day to swearing in date.

Shouting "get the fuck out".