# How Likely is It that Trump will Try to Proclaim Martial Law? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [December 17, 2020, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-that-trump-will-try-to-proclaim-martial-law/928294 "2020-12-17T22:09:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2020, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-that-trump-will-try-to-proclaim-martial-law/928294/21 "2020-12-18T11:44:51Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Codes, like laws, are useless unless they are enforced. I think the point here is that the military has its own courts system that’s more politically independent than the federal judiciary, up to the appellate level, and the majority of those appellate judges aren’t Trump appointees. There is also the point that among generals nowadays, there’s a culture of being risk-averse careerist chickenshits who don’t stick out their necks for anything or anybody if their jobs are on the line. That’s a topic for another day though. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2020, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-that-trump-will-try-to-proclaim-martial-law/928294/22 "2020-12-18T11:46:23Z")
> [@HMS\_Irruncible](#): > > So… Trump knows it would probably blow up in his face, badly … You mean “bigly.” ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2020, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-that-trump-will-try-to-proclaim-martial-law/928294/23 "2020-12-18T12:21:19Z")
Not only will he not declare martial law, he can’t even declare a thumb war. Not with those tiny hands. ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/779978/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats2)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2020, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-that-trump-will-try-to-proclaim-martial-law/928294/24 "2020-12-18T13:13:58Z")
I was just sitting here thinking, remember when the biggest sore loser political moment that could be shown was a clip of Richard Nixon telling a bunch of reporters, “You won’t have Dick Nixon to kick around anymore.”? Yeah, I don’t think they’ll be showing that clip so much anymore. ---
**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:** [December 18, 2020, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-that-trump-will-try-to-proclaim-martial-law/928294/25 "2020-12-18T13:21:06Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > Not only will he not declare martial law, he can’t even declare a thumb war. Not with those tiny hands. - Ah, The Thumb of Grand Fenwick. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2020, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-that-trump-will-try-to-proclaim-martial-law/928294/26 "2020-12-19T20:47:53Z")
According Maggie Haberman it appears POTUS had a meeting Friday night where this topic came up. People in attendance included Sidney Powell and Michael Flynn. Trump is said to have asked about options to declare martial law, possibly appoint Powell as special counsel to investigate the election and issue an executive order to have the government (DHS) seize voting machines so they can be examined. It would appear WH counsel and others shot all of these ideas down. At least for now. [Trump asked about deploying military as Flynn suggested](https://twitter.com/yashar/status/1340364580518649856/photo/1) ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2020, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-that-trump-will-try-to-proclaim-martial-law/928294/27 "2020-12-20T05:23:38Z")
I admit curiosity who would have leaked such details (if the meeting happened as described) and I tend to suspect it was on Trump’s own order. I doubt he would actually attempt such a thing (because of the humiliation of having the order instantly refused and himself possibly arrested), but it dangles the _idea_ of it to his more rabid followers who will just love it and throw more money and support to Trump in hopes of making it happen. Trump’s been pretty open for quite some time about the idea of just ignoring laws that he doesn’t like and that makes his base love him even more. This is probably the last card he has since all the lawsuits led to nothing, and the fact that the vice-president is going to be out of the country for a few days following the Electoral College vote (and thus not around to invoke the 25th Amendment to remove Trump, which is what _should_ happen if he followed through on the idea) is going to get all the QAnon people buzzing with excitement, waiting for martial law to be declared and mass arrests to begin and all the other “trust the plan” fantasies that accompany their doomsday-rapture any-day-now mindset. “Look at me, I’m _cuh-razey!_ ” is not at all out of step with how Trump’s cultivated his public image for, well…. decades, really. Heck, in several speeches where he mentions his many lawsuits, he’s fond of saying “I don’t settle,” implying a mix of determination/pride/brinksmanship which is a blatant fabrication, since he settles lawsuits all the time. I’m not at all surprised that Trump is _hinting_ that he’s considering the idea of martial law. I don’t think he has the guts (or the military support) to even attempt it, but it’s definitely worth careful scrutiny until he is firmly given the boot in January. ---
**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:** [December 20, 2020, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-that-trump-will-try-to-proclaim-martial-law/928294/28 "2020-12-20T19:34:30Z")
Trump’s going to declare Martian Law and try to get Space Force to intervene. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2020, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-that-trump-will-try-to-proclaim-martial-law/928294/29 "2020-12-20T21:05:38Z")
He’s going to declare Marsupial Law and establish Kangaroo courts throughout the land. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2020, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-that-trump-will-try-to-proclaim-martial-law/928294/30 "2020-12-20T21:11:54Z")
With that I ought to close this thread. FWIW, I don’t think he has the balls to do it. But a more competent future president certainly could try it. That’s the real worry about all that Trump has tried. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2020, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-that-trump-will-try-to-proclaim-martial-law/928294/31 "2020-12-20T21:12:55Z")
There is a very small chance that he would try it by simply tweeting that it is so. And of course, anyone who matters will simply ignore it. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2020, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-that-trump-will-try-to-proclaim-martial-law/928294/32 "2020-12-20T21:14:52Z")
The real danger is that this could be a signal for right-wing militias to rise up and take violent action. ---
**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:** [December 20, 2020, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-that-trump-will-try-to-proclaim-martial-law/928294/33 "2020-12-20T21:19:55Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > The real danger is that this could be a signal for right-wing militias to rise up and take violent action. - I thought they were supposed to fight _against_ a government that tried this kind of nonsense. That’s what they’ve been claiming the 2nd was all about. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2020, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-that-trump-will-try-to-proclaim-martial-law/928294/34 "2020-12-20T21:21:21Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > I thought they were supposed to fight _against_ a government that tried this kind of nonsense. That’s what they’ve been claiming the 2nd was all about. It’s no secret that that particular amendment is the _only_ part of the Constitution they give a damn about. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2020, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-that-trump-will-try-to-proclaim-martial-law/928294/35 "2020-12-20T21:22:58Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > The real danger is that this could be a signal for right-wing militias to rise up and take violent action… And do what, exactly? The thing is, Trump hasn’t told anyone any specific thing to do. He’s incapable of planning anything complex, and since his communication is mainly by tweets he can’t give any detailed instructions. And the militias aren’t much coordinated among themselves. Crazies could cause some sporadic local violence, but without coordination or a plan they won’t accomplish anything. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2020, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-that-trump-will-try-to-proclaim-martial-law/928294/36 "2020-12-20T21:37:24Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Crazies could cause some sporadic local violence, but without coordination or a plan they won’t accomplish anything. Agreed. If any violence does come about, then I hope that the only thing they accomplish is helping the public realize that the Republican Party has been co-opted by lunatics, and is now a terrorist organization. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2020, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-that-trump-will-try-to-proclaim-martial-law/928294/37 "2020-12-20T22:05:58Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > And do what, exactly? > > The thing is, Trump hasn’t told anyone any specific thing to do. He’s incapable of planning anything complex, and since his communication is mainly by tweets he can’t give any detailed instructions. And the militias aren’t much coordinated among themselves. > > Crazies could cause some sporadic local violence, but without coordination or a plan they won’t accomplish anything. They will accomplish sporadic local violence, which will “show the libtards”. And since in many places the police are on their side, prosecutions will be even more sporadic. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2020, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-that-trump-will-try-to-proclaim-martial-law/928294/38 "2020-12-20T22:59:02Z")
> [@HMS\_Irruncible](#): > > So… Trump knows it would probably blow up in his face, badly, if he declared martial law. The thing is, he’s in serious legal trouble the instant his presidency ends. He doesn’t have much to lose by trying it, and he’s insane enough to try. > [@Smapti](#): > > The military leadership have all sworn oaths to the Constitution, not to Donald Trump. I don’t see career men, who have served under Republican and Democratic presidents for several decades, sticking their necks out to help him become a dictator. But Trump is selling this as a stolen election, and there are various people in high places who believe him. They won’t help Trump to become a dictator, but they might act to stop Biden from becoming one. ---
**Author:** ![Deeg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deeg/32/2955_2.png) [@Deeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deeg)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2020, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-that-trump-will-try-to-proclaim-martial-law/928294/39 "2020-12-20T23:22:29Z")
Trump might be insane enough to try but the people around him are (mostly) not. If Trump illegally declares martial law then those who enable him could end up in prison for a long time. I don’t think there will be enough to follow him down that path. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2020, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-that-trump-will-try-to-proclaim-martial-law/928294/40 "2020-12-20T23:56:38Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > But Trump is selling this as a stolen election, and there are various people in high places who believe him. They won’t help Trump to become a dictator, but they might act to stop Biden from becoming one. Like I said, that would take planning and coordination, something we have never seen at any point from Trump or his supporters. How are they going to start now? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-that-trump-will-try-to-proclaim-martial-law/928294.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-that-trump-will-try-to-proclaim-martial-law/928294.md?page=3)