# If push comes to shove, will Trump hand over the reins to Pence? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [October 3, 2020, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-push-comes-to-shove-will-trump-hand-over-the-reins-to-pence/922083 "2020-10-03T03:17:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2020, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-push-comes-to-shove-will-trump-hand-over-the-reins-to-pence/922083/21 "2020-10-04T18:35:58Z")
> [@Red\_Wiggler](#): > > The power struggle about to unfold: > > Mike Pence – the dullard legitimate heir, too naive and trusting to understand the evil machinations under way around him. I don’t recall ever hearing anything like that. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2020, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-push-comes-to-shove-will-trump-hand-over-the-reins-to-pence/922083/22 "2020-10-04T18:36:51Z")
Forget thee not the many Russian embeds who tell those factions what to do and make the actual plans. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2020, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-push-comes-to-shove-will-trump-hand-over-the-reins-to-pence/922083/23 "2020-10-04T18:40:41Z")
> [@Red\_Wiggler](#): > > The power struggle about to unfold: I am reminded of the various machinations by the likes of Goering, Himmler, Speer et al. in Hitler’s last days. ---
**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:** [October 4, 2020, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-push-comes-to-shove-will-trump-hand-over-the-reins-to-pence/922083/24 "2020-10-04T20:29:54Z")
I think if Trump has to be ventilated, Pence will be forced to act. Whether the cabinet will go along is a different question, one I would not hazard a guess about. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2020, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-push-comes-to-shove-will-trump-hand-over-the-reins-to-pence/922083/25 "2020-10-04T21:58:20Z")
> [@flurb](#): > > It is inconceivable to me that Trump would ever, per the terms of the 25th Amendment, “transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that he is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office . . .” That would be admitting weakness, in a letter to Nancy Pelosi no less! I fully expect that to his last conscious gasp he will insist on SHOWING STRENGTH and that he is fully in charge. > > If he slips into an unresponsive state, not having submitted his “written declaration,” things get interesting. The 25th Amendment provides that the VP and a majority of “executive department heads” may declare the President unable to discharge his duties and the VP immediately becomes Acting President. Hell, I can almost imagine Barr standing up and declaring that no, the 25th must not be invoked and if anyone supports that, when Don wakes up he’s tellin’! > [@running\_coach](#): > > I thought Pence already wore the reins. > > Along with a ballgag. > [@LSLGuy](#): > > Do not forget the pony tail butt plug. Y’know, we’ve been hanging around the damn Internet too long, haven’t we…? ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2020, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-push-comes-to-shove-will-trump-hand-over-the-reins-to-pence/922083/26 "2020-10-04T23:04:10Z")
> [@JRDelirious](#): > > Hell, I can almost imagine Barr standing up and declaring that no, the 25th must not be invoked and if anyone supports that, when Don wakes up he’s tellin’! I distinctly remember watching Al Haig announcing “I’m in charge here” on live national network TV. That inflamed a lot of people but was meant to be reassuring. That was my first day as a USAF officer on active duty. Somehow seeing Barr make a similar announcement this week would be chilling; very chilling. Much like Putin before him, Barr understands very clearly that he who controls the police and prosecution controls the country. > [@JRDelirious](#): > > Y’know, we’ve been hanging around the damn Internet too long, haven’t we…? It sorta seeps into your brain. And I mostly stick to the family-friendly parts. Mostly. ---
**Author:** ![raventhief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raventhief/32/4_2.png) [@raventhief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raventhief)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-push-comes-to-shove-will-trump-hand-over-the-reins-to-pence/922083/27 "2020-10-05T00:57:14Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > I thought Pence already wore the reins. > > Along with a ballgag. > [@LSLGuy](#): > > Do not forget the pony tail butt plug. _ **Moderating** _ _Ew_ Let’s keep that out of this forum, _please_ ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-push-comes-to-shove-will-trump-hand-over-the-reins-to-pence/922083/28 "2020-10-05T02:35:34Z")
> [@Hari\_Seldon](#): > > I think if Trump has to be ventilated, Pence will be forced to act. He could fake a stumble near the wall, “accidently” reach for the ventilator cord to steady himself and unplug it while Karen distracts the doctors with a homemade apple pie. ---
**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:** [October 6, 2020, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-push-comes-to-shove-will-trump-hand-over-the-reins-to-pence/922083/29 "2020-10-06T20:25:58Z")
> [@flurb](#): > > I think that if Trump slips into a state of not being lucid or conscious, suddenly a note will appear with something resembling his signature on it that temporarily transfers power to Pence. > [@Czarcasm](#): > > If so, Pence better hope Trump never wakes up. > [@flurb](#): > > Why? He’s literally the only member of the executive branch that Trump can’t fire. Wouldn’t it actually be treason to falsify the President’s signature on such a document? Or some kind of illegal, at least. ---
**Author:** ![Fiddle\_Peghead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddle_peghead/32/3506_2.png) [@Fiddle\_Peghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiddle_Peghead)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2020, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-push-comes-to-shove-will-trump-hand-over-the-reins-to-pence/922083/30 "2020-10-06T20:36:47Z")
Not a chance in hell to the first question, and no to the second. I think Pence has presidential ambitions no matter what happens in November, and doing that would alienate Trump fans and make him look power-hungry. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2020, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-push-comes-to-shove-will-trump-hand-over-the-reins-to-pence/922083/31 "2020-10-09T19:07:20Z")
I can certainly see Trump quitting after he loses so that Pence could pardon him. That way he can skip the inauguration too which you know he would hate to go as a loser. He could still be prosecuted for state crimes. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2020, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-push-comes-to-shove-will-trump-hand-over-the-reins-to-pence/922083/32 "2020-10-09T19:24:16Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > Wouldn’t it actually be treason to falsify the President’s signature on such a document? Or some kind of illegal, at least. Coup d’Etat, Schmoo d’Etat. Margaret will take care of the signature. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Wiggler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/red_wiggler/32/13190_2.png) [@Red\_Wiggler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Wiggler)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2020, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-push-comes-to-shove-will-trump-hand-over-the-reins-to-pence/922083/33 "2020-10-09T19:53:46Z")
If Alpha Don becomes incapacitated, he will try to stay cogent enough to give instructions through the kids, thus perhaps making Junior the de facto CIC. Sure, the rules say that it has to be the veep but what are rules to Donnie when personal power is at stake? ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2020, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-push-comes-to-shove-will-trump-hand-over-the-reins-to-pence/922083/34 "2020-10-09T20:32:19Z")
> [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > That way he can skip the inauguration too which you know he would hate to go as a loser. I wonder what the betting line is on Trump attending Biden’s inauguration, assuming (Zeus willing) that sleepy Joe wins? I would think at least 20% chance he doesn’t show up. It would be higher (like 100%) except that I’m sure he realizes that it would make him seem like even more of loser to skip it. But he could have a Covid-19 relapse that day if necessary. ---
**Author:** ![Temporary\_Name](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8c91f0/32.png) [@Temporary\_Name](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Temporary_Name)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2020, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-push-comes-to-shove-will-trump-hand-over-the-reins-to-pence/922083/35 "2020-10-10T06:56:13Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > Margaret will take care of the signature. Excellent West Wing reference. Did anyone see the cast and Sorkin on Steven Colbert’s show tonight? ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2020, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-push-comes-to-shove-will-trump-hand-over-the-reins-to-pence/922083/36 "2020-10-10T19:02:13Z")
Trump just said he won’t go to inauguration of Biden. ---
**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:** [October 11, 2020, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-push-comes-to-shove-will-trump-hand-over-the-reins-to-pence/922083/37 "2020-10-11T04:36:14Z")
> [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > Trump just said he won’t go to inauguration of Biden Trump doesn’t acknowledge that a Biden inauguration is a possible thing that can happen (unless by fraudulent election-rigging, of course). ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2020, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-push-comes-to-shove-will-trump-hand-over-the-reins-to-pence/922083/38 "2020-10-11T13:52:43Z")
Other than Nixon when was the last living president to not go to swearing in of the next president? Probably a long time , maybe never. Tradition now is the old and new presidents ride together to the capitol. Carter rode with Reagan for example. ---
**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:** [October 11, 2020, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-push-comes-to-shove-will-trump-hand-over-the-reins-to-pence/922083/39 "2020-10-11T17:04:41Z")
Should Biden win there is zero chance Trump will show up for the inauguration. I also doubt Pence would show up either. I doubt anyone would much care. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2020, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-push-comes-to-shove-will-trump-hand-over-the-reins-to-pence/922083/40 "2020-10-11T17:51:29Z")
> [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > Trump just said he won’t go to inauguration of Biden. I have mixed emotions about that. One the one hand, I’d rather not see his face ever again. On the other hand, it might help his followers accept the election. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-push-comes-to-shove-will-trump-hand-over-the-reins-to-pence/922083.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-push-comes-to-shove-will-trump-hand-over-the-reins-to-pence/922083.md?page=3)