# King Trump: How would Reps Respond? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [December 15, 2021, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/king-trump-how-would-reps-respond/956113 "2021-12-15T17:13:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2021, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/king-trump-how-would-reps-respond/956113/21 "2021-12-15T19:47:44Z")
Regarding any potential Supreme Court action - while 6 Justices are very right leaning, and are perfectly willing to gut previous SC decisions, I still have a very hard time believing that Roberts, Thomas, and Alito would actually vote to end democracy. Gorsuch probably not, Kavanaugh would trade democracy for free beer, and Barrett would do anything Trump asked her to. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2021, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/king-trump-how-would-reps-respond/956113/22 "2021-12-15T19:48:18Z")
> [@XT](#): > > That’s different than the implication there are a lot of folks who want to make Trump king for life (even his life, which is probably measured in a few years at best), though. I don’t see that as a thing that many outside of fringe whacko types think would be a good idea or would support. “King Trump” is clearly an exaggeration, but there were quite a few, not-obviously-insane-other-then-being-Trumpers posting memes about how every Trump spawn could get elected president for the next 40 years that it’s clear they’d be happy with a Trump Dynasty, even if they didn’t outright declare him a king. If someone is such a fan of Donald Trump as president that they’ll preemptively declare support for Eric Trump as president in 2032, who knows what other stupid crap they’ll be supporting by that point? ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2021, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/king-trump-how-would-reps-respond/956113/23 "2021-12-15T19:49:45Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > He could try to push through a repeal of the 22nd Amendment, but it takes 2/3 of the Representatives and 2/3 of the Senators, followed by 3/4 of the state legislatures to push it through. So the Republicans would need 2/3 of each house + 38 state legislatures to be “OK” with it. That’s one way to amend the Constitution. The other is for 2/3 of state legislatures to call for a convention for the purpose of considering amendments to the Constitution (i.e. no Congressional vote needed). That’s 34 states, and currently Republicans have full control of 30 state legislatures. You would still need 3/4 of states to approve the final amendment, but they don’t have to do it all at once. Republicans could pass it quickly in the states they control then focus on flipping the remaining states they need. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2021, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/king-trump-how-would-reps-respond/956113/24 "2021-12-15T19:53:37Z")
> [@Horatius](#): > > The real issue is, what if Trump just _ignores_ the Constitution? If it were solely up to him, sure. But it isn’t. This kind of circles back to people freaking out because they thought Trump would ignore the election and just keep being president because he thought he won. It isn’t up to him, he can’t just ignore the Constitution. > [@Horatius](#): > > It’s clear he personally doesn’t give a rat’s ass about how the government is _supposed_ to work. If he wants to do something, he’ll just do it. So the real question is, if, after winning in 2024, he runs again in 2028, who will stop him? Well, he probably has a fantasy that he can just do it if he wants to, but the whole ‘who will stop him?’ is…pretty much everyone. If you don’t believe that then you don’t believe our system of government that has been working for over 2 centuries actually works and can be subverted that easily at the whims of a red-headed, clueless asshole. I don’t believe that. > [@Horatius](#): > > Will the GOP simply deny him the nomination? Yes…I think they would. Because if they didn’t and he did manage to get re-elected without a change to the Constitution it would only mean whoever is his VP would become president. And they would know this. > [@Horatius](#): > > If Congress certifies the EC votes, would a Republican dominated Supreme Court declare him Not The President? In that case, it would go before the USSC, but it wouldn’t be a question of if…they would be breaking the Constitution and their actions would be un-Constitutional. I don’t think this is even remotely possible. They might try and change the Amendment…I doubt it, but it’s possible. But to break the Constitution? No, I don’t think so. Even if they did, I don’t see the other parts of the Federal Government just going along with it. The military wouldn’t. The Dems wouldn’t. Because this would basically be a civil war…something I find highly distasteful AND unlikely in the extreme. To me, only the really hyped up fringe types on both sides really believe this is a possibility, and I basically am in the same place I was when right wingers were fretting that Obama was going to do all this silly shit. Yes, the difference is Trump said he wants to do stuff…but, to me, so what? He’s a delusional, clueless red-headed asshole. What do I care what he belives or thinks? ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2021, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/king-trump-how-would-reps-respond/956113/25 "2021-12-15T19:53:56Z")
> [@XT](#): > > That’s different than the implication there are a lot of folks who want to make Trump king for life (even his life, which is probably measured in a few years at best), though. I don’t see that as a thing that many outside of fringe whacko types think would be a good idea or would support. True, if by “fringe whacko types” you mean the overwhelming majority of Republican congresspeople who condoned the January 6 coup attempt. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2021, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/king-trump-how-would-reps-respond/956113/26 "2021-12-15T19:56:08Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > True, if by “fringe whacko types” you mean the overwhelming majority of Republican congresspeople who condoned the January 6 coup attempt. Do you have a cite that shows that the overwhelming majority of Republicans condoned the ‘coup’? Please, link to that as it’s news to me that ANY of them condoned it on the record. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2021, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/king-trump-how-would-reps-respond/956113/27 "2021-12-15T20:00:17Z")
> [@XT](#): > > Well, he probably has a fantasy that he can just do it if he wants to, but the whole ‘who will stop him?’ is…pretty much everyone. If you don’t believe that then you don’t believe our system of government that has been working for over 2 centuries actually works and can be subverted that easily at the whims of a red-headed, clueless asshole. I don’t believe that. On top of this: > [@Ludovic](#): > > True, if by “fringe whacko types” you mean the overwhelming majority of Republican congresspeople who condoned the January 6 coup attempt. …where we saw quite a few of those stalwart defenders of democracy already doing exactly what you hope they won’t do, we also saw not one, but two impeachments decided entirely upon partisan lines, because almost none of the GOP elected officials wanted to hold Trump accountable for his crimes. Sure, I hope this is just alarmism, but based on the real-world evidence we’ve seen so far, I’m not betting the future on that. If Trump proved anything in his four years as president, it’s that the “norms” of US democracy **are** potentially that fragile. You may not like that, but it’s true. “It can’t happen here” sounds nice, but it’s a fantasy. It is entirely possible for it to happen here, if the people charged with the defense of democracy decide not to do their jobs. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2021, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/king-trump-how-would-reps-respond/956113/28 "2021-12-15T20:00:19Z")
[They considered him not guilty of inciting insurrection](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_impeachment_of_Donald_Trump), which means that they did not find the events inappropriate. And furthermore, “condone” can mean [overlook or permit](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/condone), and thus by considering it not even worthy of censure, they condoned it. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2021, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/king-trump-how-would-reps-respond/956113/29 "2021-12-15T20:01:46Z")
> [@XT](#): > > he can’t just ignore the Constitution. Yes, he _can_. The question is, with a GOP controlled Congress, state governors that act as if the Constitution is a suggestion at best and a conservative Supreme Court, how far could he get? ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2021, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/king-trump-how-would-reps-respond/956113/30 "2021-12-15T20:02:29Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > [They considered him not guilty of inciting insurrection](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_impeachment_of_Donald_Trump), which means that they did not find the events inappropriate. And furthermore, “condone” can mean [overlook or permit](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/condone), and thus by considering it not even worthy of censure, they condoned it. I’m not seeing in there where the overwhelming majority (or even the flat majority) of Republicans did this, let alone expanding that to condoning the incoherent ‘coup’ attempt. Can you cut and paste the relevant passage in that Wiki? I really am missing it. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2021, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/king-trump-how-would-reps-respond/956113/31 "2021-12-15T20:03:40Z")
> [@XT](#): > > Yes, the difference is Trump said he wants to do stuff…but, to me, so what? He’s a delusional, clueless red-headed asshole. What do I care what he belives or thinks? This was said a lot before he was elected, and look what happened. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2021, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/king-trump-how-would-reps-respond/956113/32 "2021-12-15T20:04:18Z")
Only 10 voted to impeach. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2021, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/king-trump-how-would-reps-respond/956113/33 "2021-12-15T20:04:23Z")
[# 147 Republican lawmakers still objected to the election results after the Capitol attack](https://www.vox.com/2021/1/6/22218058/republicans-objections-election-results) Not an “overwhelming majority of Republicans”, but far more than anyone should be comfortable with. And since then, they’ve been on a crusade to eliminate anyone they deem Insufficiently Trumpish, so this will get worse, instead of better, in the foreseeable future. Complacency in the face of such unprecedented threats to US democracy is a bad, bad idea. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2021, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/king-trump-how-would-reps-respond/956113/34 "2021-12-15T20:04:42Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Yes, he _can_ . Ok, so we are in fantasy land. Ok, this isn’t really a serious discussion if we are going to go with Trump being able to just do whatever he wants based on your assertion he just can do that. I have to wonder if this is the case…why isn’t he carrot head in chief currently, if he just can ignore the Constitution? I mean, perhaps I missed it, but I thought Biden was the current president, even though Trump doesn’t accept that and insists he actually won… > [@Czarcasm](#): > > The question is, with a GOP controlled Congress, state governors that act as if the Constitution is a suggestion at best and a conservative Supreme Court, how far could he get? Or, if aliens attacked in a giant wooden badger… ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2021, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/king-trump-how-would-reps-respond/956113/35 "2021-12-15T20:05:58Z")
> [@Horatius](#): > > Not an “overwhelming majority of Republicans”, but far more than anyone should be comfortable with. One would be more than I’m comfortable with, to be honest. There should have been no excuses for those actions. But 147 Republicans objecting to the election results is still not them condoning, regardless of how you define that, the coup attempt. At least in my mind. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2021, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/king-trump-how-would-reps-respond/956113/36 "2021-12-15T20:07:34Z")
> [@XT](#): > > if he just can ignore the Constitution The Constitution isn’t a magical document that enforces itself. If it gets set aside/ignored the living embodiment of Uncle Sam doesn’t rise up and smite evildoers. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2021, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/king-trump-how-would-reps-respond/956113/37 "2021-12-15T20:07:47Z")
> [@XT](#): > > I have to wonder if this is the case…why isn’t he carrot head in chief currently, if he just can ignore the Constitution? Because in addition to being a megalomaniac narcissist, he’s also an incompetent boob who often listens to bad advice. The danger is he might learn something from his last failure, and/or someone who isn’t incompetent might be able to gain influence over him. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2021, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/king-trump-how-would-reps-respond/956113/38 "2021-12-15T20:10:06Z")
> [@XT](#): > > They might try and change the Amendment…I doubt it, but it’s possible. But to break the Constitution? No, I don’t think so. Even if they did, I don’t see the other parts of the Federal Government just going along with it. The military wouldn’t. The Dems wouldn’t. Trump running for a third term would be clearly unconstitutional, but what’s the means of enforcing that? If enough states put him on the ballot, and Republicans in Congress certify the election, we’d all know the result was bogus but I don’t know what recourse we’d have. There is one way the Supreme Court might get involved, but which hasn’t been mentioned. The Chief Justice is the one who administers the oath of office during the inauguration. He, or she, might refuse to do so if the election was so blatantly stolen, but if Trump and his cronies ignore all the other roadblocks, I can’t see them stopping for something as trivial as not being sworn in. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2021, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/king-trump-how-would-reps-respond/956113/39 "2021-12-15T20:10:49Z")
> [@XT](#): > > But 147 Republicans objecting to the election results is still not them condoning, regardless of how you define that, the coup attempt. At least in my mind. How about the last year, in which they’ve consistently pushed a narrative of January 6th that downplays the entire event, even going so far as to say the rioters who stormed the Capitol we just “tourists”? It’s bad enough they’ve never condemned these people, now they’re making excuses for them. If that’s not “condoning” their actions, it will do as a good substitute. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2021, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/king-trump-how-would-reps-respond/956113/40 "2021-12-15T20:12:33Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > The Constitution isn’t a magical document that enforces itself. If it gets set aside/ignored the living embodiment of Uncle Sam doesn’t rise up and smite evildoers. No, it isn’t. It’s also not just a piece of paper that everyone ignores at the whims of the President or whatever. Certainly, we can fantasize about a time or circumstances when one party or the other has all the power and decides to just set it aside by fiat, and everyone from the state to the local level, from the military to police just go along and go ‘derp, yeah, let’s do that!’, but there would be a lot more to it than Trump and some Republicans just deciding to do it…or Obama and some Democrats deciding to do it…or anyone and whatever political party doing this. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/king-trump-how-would-reps-respond/956113.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/king-trump-how-would-reps-respond/956113.md?page=3)