# Blocking Trump: step by step history **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [January 7, 2017, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blocking-trump-step-by-step-history/776521 "2017-01-07T14:02:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2017, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blocking-trump-step-by-step-history/776521/1 "2017-01-07T14:02:47Z")
It was a long year. Here’s the history of attempts to block Trump, first by the Repubs then by the Dems, [step by step](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2017/01/06/r-i-p-to-the-many-efforts-to-stop-donald-trump-using-arcane-procedure-we-hardly-knew-ye/). > [@](#): > > Donald Trump is now the real, official, actual, no-more-doubt-about-it president-elect of the United States, after Congress certified the results of the electoral college Friday. > > Not for lack of Democrats’ efforts, mind you. House Democrats objected to 10 states’ electoral votes being awarded to Trump, but none of them were able to get a senator to join in their objection, as required. Hence, a quixotic effort failed. > > Again. > > All along Trump’s path to the White House, nearly every political process has featured some kind of effort to thwart him by manipulating the rules and otherwise Doing Whatever It Took to stop him. With the last of those efforts failing, we thought it worth a retrospective. Get ready for a trip down memory lane. 1. In April last year, it was ‘stolen delegates’ with Trump claiming that the Republican selection process was ‘rigged’ against him. > [@](#): > > The most notable example was in Colorado, where Trump’s failure to play the game cost him dearly and Ted Cruz swept all 34 delegates. Similar, if less impactful, things happened in caucus states, with their drawn-out delegate-selection processes that weren’t necessarily tied to actual votes. 1. Then came the Republican Convention in July. Two efforts here, first an attempt to Free the Delegates, allowing them to vote for whom they chose. It failed to garner the necessary votes. Then the anti-Trump forces demanded a roll-call vote which would have forced each State to vote individually on the rules and hence by extension on Trump. “But in a chaotic scene, Rep. Steve Womack (R-Ark.) determined that the effort didn’t have the seven states required and declared the rules package passed by voice vote.” 2. In November came Jill Stein’s recounts. Much time and energy spent in an effort which proved as futile as it was expensive. 3. December 19th, the Electoral College votes and the “Hamilton Electors”, cheered on by a Professor who told them that 20 Republican electors had expressed an interest in ditching Trump, found that wishful thinking could not alter the cold facts. 4. And finally the Electoral College certification of January 6th referred to above. > [@](#): > > A last-ditch move involved individual House members objecting to states awarding their electoral votes to Trump, despite those votes having been cast for Trump at the meetings in each state. As noted above, the effort fell apart because no senators joined in, and each objection needed a senator. (The same thing happened in 2000, when some House Democrats wanted to object to Florida’s votes being cast for George W. Bush but couldn’t get a senator to join them.) > > Of course, even if successful, it would have only allowed for the objection — not actually prevented the votes from being cast for Trump. If a senator had joined in the objection, the House and Senate would have met separately to debate the objection. > > In other words, it was basically a gambit to delay Trump’s win by a few more hours. And it failed. Which seems like as good a way as any to close out the 2016 electoral process. It’s been a long road and, whether you’re happy with the destination or not, you have to admit it’s been an interesting one. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2017, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blocking-trump-step-by-step-history/776521/2 "2017-01-07T14:26:43Z")
I was hoping/expecting this thread to helpfully provide step-by-step technical instructions on how to block Trump from one’s life over the next four years or whatever – to avoid even a glimpse of him on a TV or any device. Don’t mean to threadshit. Carry on. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2017, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blocking-trump-step-by-step-history/776521/3 "2017-01-07T14:35:27Z")
> [@aldiboronti](#): > > It was a long year. Here’s the history of attempts to block Trump, first by the Repubs then by the Dems, The rare display of bipartisanship is both telling and encouraging. ---
**Author:** ![Evan\_Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b487fb/32.png) [@Evan\_Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evan_Drake)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2017, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blocking-trump-step-by-step-history/776521/4 "2017-01-07T14:35:57Z")
[QUOTE=JKellyMap] I was hoping/expecting this thread to helpfully provide step-by-step technical instructions on how to block Trump from one’s life over the next four years or whatever – to avoid even a glimpse of him on a TV or any device. [/quote] Don’t watch or read news. It won’t make that much difference to your real life. Millions of people ignore politics; millions more have no means of following news. It’s not as if by _knowing_ you can influence any decisions in a democratic polity. I imagine the same scenario happened for those who loathed Obama. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2017, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blocking-trump-step-by-step-history/776521/5 "2017-01-07T15:28:11Z")
Is there not some little-known loophole Dems have found to object during the oath of office or something? No way this can be drug out anymore? ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2017, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blocking-trump-step-by-step-history/776521/6 "2017-01-07T15:45:20Z")
> [@JKellyMap](#): > > Don’t mean to threadshit. No need, really. ---
**Author:** ![BeepKillBeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9e8a1a/32.png) [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2017, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blocking-trump-step-by-step-history/776521/7 "2017-01-07T15:59:32Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > Is there not some little-known loophole Dems have found to object during the oath of office or something? No way this can be drug out anymore? I’m still a little bit hopeful this was all an elaborate prank by Trump and on inauguration day he will simply say “Bazinga”. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2017, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blocking-trump-step-by-step-history/776521/8 "2017-01-07T16:03:27Z")
> [@JKellyMap](#): > > I was hoping/expecting this thread to helpfully provide step-by-step technical instructions on how to block Trump from one’s life over the next four years or whatever – to avoid even a glimpse of him on a TV or any device. > > Don’t mean to threadshit. Carry on. There’s [a Chrome extension](https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/make-america-kittens-agai/klchnmggepghlcolikgaekpibclpmgcm) that will replace his face with a kitten’s. ---
**Author:** ![BeepKillBeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9e8a1a/32.png) [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2017, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blocking-trump-step-by-step-history/776521/9 "2017-01-07T16:10:07Z")
Either that or group of crime solving teens will rig an elaborate trap. Upon being netted, they will remove a rubber mask from Trump and exclaim “Vladamir Putin!?!” He will then say “I’d have gotten away with it too if not for you meddling kids.” ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2017, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blocking-trump-step-by-step-history/776521/10 "2017-01-07T16:17:08Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > Is there not some little-known loophole Dems have found to object during the oath of office or something? No way this can be drug out anymore? The President-elect’s hand must cover a minimum area on the cover of the Bible he’s worn in on. Otherwise, the oath is invalid. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2017, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blocking-trump-step-by-step-history/776521/11 "2017-01-07T16:25:16Z")
And the Bible’s cover must have gold fringe. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2017, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blocking-trump-step-by-step-history/776521/12 "2017-01-07T16:40:33Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > Is there not some little-known loophole Dems have found to object during the oath of office or something? No way this can be drug out anymore? How about an IQ test? ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2017, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blocking-trump-step-by-step-history/776521/13 "2017-01-07T18:03:12Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > How about an IQ test? Maybe a literacy test? Hey, if your side wants to bring those back now, I don’t think I’d expend much effort opposing you. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2017, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blocking-trump-step-by-step-history/776521/14 "2017-01-07T18:05:07Z")
This thread made me laugh this morning, which was nice since I’m sick in bed. Thanks guys! ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2017, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blocking-trump-step-by-step-history/776521/15 "2017-01-07T18:28:54Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > The President-elect’s hand must cover a minimum area on the cover of the Bible he’s worn in on. Otherwise, the oath is invalid. Here ya go! [https://www.google.com/search?q=miniature+Bible&rlz=1C1CHBD\_enUS690US690&espv=2&biw=768&bih=380&tbm=isch&imgil=QnAq-qng4ggiYM%253A%253BXhzcxnb3yP890M%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fsupersmallgallery.com%25252Fmini\_bible.htm&source=iu&pf=m&fir=QnAq-qng4ggiYM%253A%252CXhzcxnb3yP890M%252C\_&usg=\_\_lEJcbdl\_nLkwf5wWuCVDMqrY4GQ%3D&ved=0ahUKEwiQ08bY1LDRAhVJxoMKHRDsBzMQyjcIpwE&ei=KzNxWNCRO8mMjwSQ2J-YAw#imgrc=QnAq-qng4ggiYM%3A](https://www.google.com/search?q=miniature+Bible&rlz=1C1CHBD_enUS690US690&espv=2&biw=768&bih=380&tbm=isch&imgil=QnAq-qng4ggiYM%253A%253BXhzcxnb3yP890M%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fsupersmallgallery.com%25252Fmini_bible.htm&source=iu&pf=m&fir=QnAq-qng4ggiYM%253A%252CXhzcxnb3yP890M%252C_&usg=__lEJcbdl_nLkwf5wWuCVDMqrY4GQ%3D&ved=0ahUKEwiQ08bY1LDRAhVJxoMKHRDsBzMQyjcIpwE&ei=KzNxWNCRO8mMjwSQ2J-YAw#imgrc=QnAq-qng4ggiYM%3A) ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2017, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blocking-trump-step-by-step-history/776521/16 "2017-01-07T18:31:49Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > Maybe a literacy test? Hey, if your side wants to bring those back now, I don’t think I’d expend much effort opposing you. How about a poll tax? We know Trump doesn’t pay taxes… ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2017, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blocking-trump-step-by-step-history/776521/17 "2017-01-07T18:37:20Z")
Maybe an acid test? Sandoz probably has the original formula, and can guarantee purity. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2017, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blocking-trump-step-by-step-history/776521/18 "2017-01-07T18:44:34Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > Is there not some little-known loophole Dems have found to object during the oath of office or something? No way this can be drug out anymore? Well, the Bible might burst into flames when he puts his hand on it. If it doesn’t, it significantly calls into question the existence of god. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2017, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blocking-trump-step-by-step-history/776521/19 "2017-01-07T18:48:27Z")
Something I learned at the poker table: there is no God, and He hates me. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2017, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blocking-trump-step-by-step-history/776521/20 "2017-01-07T18:53:31Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Maybe an acid test? Sandoz probably has the original formula, and can guarantee purity. How about a litmus test? That plays well to the base. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blocking-trump-step-by-step-history/776521.md?page=2)