# Possibility of martial law? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [March 13, 2020, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possibility-of-martial-law/849441 "2020-03-13T21:21:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2020, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possibility-of-martial-law/849441/21 "2020-03-14T21:06:02Z")
> [@salinqmind](#): > > Is there a possibility the Republicans want riots breaking out, a breakdown in society, so they can declare martial law and elect Captain ShitStain as a dictator? Only in the fevered dreams of the far left/right. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2020, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possibility-of-martial-law/849441/22 "2020-03-15T04:31:43Z")
> [@robby](#): > > You know [who else](https://www.historyplace.com/worldwar2/riseofhitler/named.htm) the conservative Establishment thought they could control? :dubious: Hitler hadn’t held power in 1932. He was an unknown the conservative establishment underestimated. Trump has been President for over three years now. His lack of capabilities is no longer just theoretical. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2020, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possibility-of-martial-law/849441/23 "2020-03-15T04:38:21Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > I think those on the left misunderstand the deep mistrust of the government that is on the far right. I’m on a bunch of veterans pages and it is rampant. I’m not sure if you can categorize them as republicans but they are Trump voters. There are already conspiracy theories about the hoax virus being used to control the people. The far right boogaloo bois will be vehemently opposed to martial law more than anyone in the middle or left. Maybe violently opposed. Those guys out on the far right are afraid of the power of government. And their answer to that is that we should give a dictator absolute power so he can protect us from the government. That kind of logic is what happens when cousins marry. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2020, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possibility-of-martial-law/849441/24 "2020-03-15T04:46:54Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Don’t _ **tease** _ like that! It just illustrates that the real danger that Trump presents isn’t Trump himself. He’s held in check by his limitations. The real danger from Trump is that other people who aren’t incompetent are watching him. And some of them are thinking _“If that bumbling idiot can get away with every thing he has, I could get away with so much more.”_ Picture somebody who has Trump’s total lack of concern for morality or decency or legality - but is smart enough to use it all intelligently. That’s the guy who will become dictator. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2020, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possibility-of-martial-law/849441/25 "2020-03-15T04:49:39Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Those guys out on the far right are afraid of the power of government. And their answer to that is that we should give a dictator absolute power so he can protect us from the government. > > That kind of logic is what happens when cousins marry. You are not looking at the same places on the internet I am. And I’m talking about Facebook not the dark web. Anything close to martial law will make them turn on Trump immediately. They haven’t forgiven him for bumpstocks. I’ve seen polite speculation about martial law from those on the left and middle. Any discussion about martial law on the right is full of frothing at the mouth and talk of civil war. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2020, 9:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possibility-of-martial-law/849441/26 "2020-03-15T09:39:58Z")
From a practical standpoint look at martial law as an exercise in logistics. Take my state. There are only around 8,000 National Guard soldiers. Depending on the mission you have to eliminate a percentage of those as strictly support. There are about 4 battalions of line troops available. There are about 33,000 police from various agencies. That includes administration so also cut that down by a significant percentage. That’s to control a population of 9 million. Realistically any Guard units that are activated will be under direct civilian control and used as logistical support and possibly static infrastructure security. ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2020, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possibility-of-martial-law/849441/27 "2020-03-15T16:16:03Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Hitler hadn’t held power in 1932. He was an unknown the conservative establishment underestimated. > > Trump has been President for over three years now. His lack of capabilities is no longer just theoretical. But Trump has shown a remarkable ability to corrupt institutions, inspire a cult following, and escape accountability to an extent never before seen in American politics. I have no doubt that Mitch McConnell thinks that if Trump gets out of control he can get rid of Trump whenever he wants. However, after three years in power, it may be far more difficult than he thinks. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2020, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possibility-of-martial-law/849441/28 "2020-03-15T16:38:26Z")
> [@robby](#): > > But Trump has shown a remarkable ability to corrupt institutions, inspire a cult following, and escape accountability to an extent never before seen in American politics. > > I have no doubt that Mitch McConnell thinks that if Trump gets out of control he can get rid of Trump whenever he wants. However, after three years in power, it may be far more difficult than he thinks. Where is Unca Mitch in all of this?? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2020, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possibility-of-martial-law/849441/29 "2020-03-16T03:52:12Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Where is Unca Mitch in all of this?? 😕 I’m not exactly sure what you’re asking, but I was responding to **Little Nemo** ’s post: > [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > …Trump is only President right now because Mitch McConnell decided he could stay in office. How long do you think Trump would last if he told McConnell he was disbanding Congress and assuming total power? McConnell would make a couple of phone calls to Pence, Pelosi, and the Pentagon. Forty-eight hours later, Trump is sitting in a cell in Leavenworth watching Pence being sworn in. Or maybe confined to a hospital room in Bethesda after his “collapse” depending on how they wanted to play it. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2020, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possibility-of-martial-law/849441/30 "2020-03-16T04:53:54Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > You are not looking at the same places on the internet I am. And I’m talking about Facebook not the dark web. Anything close to martial law will make them turn on Trump immediately. They haven’t forgiven him for bumpstocks. I’ve seen polite speculation about martial law from those on the left and middle. Any discussion about martial law on the right is full of frothing at the mouth and talk of civil war. Because if there’s one thing Neo-Nazis are known for, it’s their staunch opposition to dictators. That’s the problem; these people are stupid and easy to manipulate. Some guy comes along and plays to their fears of the government and says things like “I’m one of you. I understand how dangerous the government is. So back me up while I fight them.” They’re the sheep that put people like Hitler in power. ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2020, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possibility-of-martial-law/849441/31 "2020-03-16T12:40:00Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > That’s the problem; these people are stupid and easy to manipulate. Some guy comes along and plays to their fears of the government and says things like “I’m one of you. I understand how dangerous the government is. So back me up while I fight them.” They’re the sheep that put people like Hitler in power. Quoted for truth. Just like the Republican Party (which has now been described as more of a cult than a political party in the traditional sense) has turned 180 degrees and now obsequiously supports a President who rejects much of what they have supported for decades (like promotion of the free market and free trade, strong alliances, balanced budgets, low deficits, reducing the national debt, limited government, etc.). There’s a reason why people who actually care about these issues (like George Will and Jennifer Rubin) have left the GOP in recent years. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2020, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possibility-of-martial-law/849441/32 "2020-03-16T14:56:56Z")
I believe the right wing would be just fine with a dictator, so long as it’s _their_ dictator. So long as this dictator oppresses people that they hate, they’d be cool with it. When Republican lawmakers look in the mirror, they see someone who would be out on his keister in a New York minute if the virus turns as deadly as it potentially could and the administration is seen as having blown the response. When having to choose between serving a dictator or turning over power to the Democrats, it’s a no-brainer for them. They would happily goose-step behind Donald as he torches the Constitution and appoints himself dictator for life. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2020, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possibility-of-martial-law/849441/33 "2020-03-16T17:16:45Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Where is Unca Mitch in all of this?? 😕 > [@robby](#): > > I’m not exactly sure what you’re asking, but I was responding to **Little Nemo** ’s post: I wasn’t really addressing your post specifically as much as I was wondering aloud (as it were) why Mitch was being so quiet during all the kerfuffle. But I posted the answer in the Stupid Republican Idea thread. He’s on the phone to Pubbie-appointed federal judges who are near retirement age asking them to clear out so they can be replaced by young sprogs with 40-year careers ahead of them while there’s still time. I’m picturing him making these phone calls from his personal bunker among giant bottles of water and cases of soup and canned tuna that have been there since the Cuban Missile Crisis. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2020, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possibility-of-martial-law/849441/34 "2020-03-16T17:25:40Z")
Anyway, I have it on good authority that it’s “Marshall Law” and we’re not going to have it. > [@](#): > > We will continue to see closings & restrictions on hours of non-essential businesses in certain cities & states. But that is NOT marshall law. > ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2020, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possibility-of-martial-law/849441/35 "2020-03-16T17:28:30Z")
So if Trump, or any President, wanted to take over the country on anything like a permanent basis, what would they have to do? Whose support do they actually need? At what point can their assertions no longer just be ignored by the rest of the government? As an aside, I’m still a firm believer that for this country, “runs exactly the same with exactly the same structure, except with a dictator” is an impossible state. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2020, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possibility-of-martial-law/849441/36 "2020-03-16T17:38:42Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Anyway, I have it on good authority that it’s “Marshall Law” and we’re not going to have it. > > [https://twitter.com/marcorubio/status/1239553159154057216](https://twitter.com/marcorubio/status/1239553159154057216) Maybe Rubio is a Gunsmoke fan and thought we’d have Marshall Dillon law as we watch the virus infest us. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2020, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possibility-of-martial-law/849441/37 "2020-03-16T17:40:13Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Maybe Rubio is a Gunsmoke fan and thought we’d have Marshall Dillon law as we watch the virus infest us. Ninja’d! No, I trust Matt Dillon to proteck us! ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2020, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possibility-of-martial-law/849441/38 "2020-03-16T17:53:06Z")
For anyone concerned about Republicans somehow suspending election, realize that by the Presidential Succession Act that Pelosi would become president on inauguration day. So, that won’t happen. Trump/Pence ends on January 20, 2021 if they have not been elected. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2020, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possibility-of-martial-law/849441/39 "2020-03-16T18:16:53Z")
[Kentucky Man with Coronavirus Who Refused to Self-Quarantine Being Guarded by Police Officer](https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/kentucky-man-coronavirus-refused-self-150810626.html) ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2020, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possibility-of-martial-law/849441/40 "2020-03-16T19:53:45Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > For anyone concerned about Republicans somehow suspending election, realize that by the Presidential Succession Act that Pelosi would become president on inauguration day. So, that won’t happen. Trump/Pence ends on January 20, 2021 if they have not been elected. You’re assuming that the Republicans would follow the rules. I don’t have any confidence that they would, especially regarding a law that most Americans are unaware of. The Democrats would appeal to the courts, of course, but how has that worked out for them so far? They can’t even get a subpoena enforced or copies of Trump’s tax returns, even though the law clearly provides for these. Even violations of the Constitution (such as the Emoluments clause) have been allowed to continue, and the courts have provided no relief there either. Our much-vaunted checks and balances seem to have disappeared some time ago. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possibility-of-martial-law/849441.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possibility-of-martial-law/849441.md?page=3)