# The American Coup: 11.9.2020 - **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [November 9, 2020, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182 "2020-11-09T23:29:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 156
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2021, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182/3108 "2021-01-15T21:39:21Z")
‘If he kills Pence then he wins the ~~Game of Thrones~~ Presidency by combat!’ Rudy 'The Large Hill" Giuliani ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2021, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182/3109 "2021-01-15T21:52:16Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > I am beginning to think that Mike Pence refused to invoke the 25th for three reasons: d. He would always be known for being the President that reigned for only 10 days. Whatever successes he thinks he’s had as VP over the last four years would be buried under that first line in his bio. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Librarian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_librarian/32/402_2.png) [@The\_Librarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Librarian)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2021, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182/3110 "2021-01-15T21:56:27Z")
“The Swamp that runs” ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2021, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182/3111 "2021-01-15T21:58:08Z")
🤣 ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2021, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182/3112 "2021-01-15T22:03:36Z")
If that’s a problem, he could resign earlier than that. I’m sure Pelosi wouldn’t mind having that on _her_ resume. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2021, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182/3113 "2021-01-15T22:33:33Z")
I don’t think being the President who reigned for only 10 minutes would be much of an improvement. At least Pelosi would have a job waiting for her after the 20th. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2021, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182/3114 "2021-01-15T22:36:00Z")
The MyPilllow guy met with Trump today. With [visible notes](https://twitter.com/jabinbotsford/status/1350186100564905985) about how to take over the government. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2021, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182/3115 "2021-01-15T22:37:27Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > > [@asahi](#): > > > > Wack-nut conspiracy scenario possibility… > > > > - Trump then catches everyone off guard by pardoning anyone who had anything to do with the riot of all federal crimes > > - Trump then hints that his supporters need to finish the job and that he can pardon them again > > > [@CurtC](#): > > > > I’ve been spending some time at the Newsmax site, in the comments, to understand what they’re thinking. I don’t think that pardons from Trump would be that valued because those folks _still_ are saying that the violence was perpetrated by Antifa. > > @asahi, in addition to what @CurtC said, I’m not sure that the prospect of a last minute Trump pardon now makes a huge difference in the calculus of someone considering further armed insurrection before the 20th. Law enforcement are now out in force and on high alert, backed up by substantial miliitary force, with far less tolerant rules of engagement this time around. So anyone who is still crazy enough to do something is already prepared for higher stakes than criminal prosecution by the liberal usurpers - the penalty for failure may be death. They don’t see themselves as criminals, and they think they will be martyrs or heroes. They already expect a pardon if they succeed and Trump stays in office, of course. They expect a Medal Of Freedom. I think it would make a huge difference to the non-combat co-conspirators, tho. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2021, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182/3116 "2021-01-15T22:39:29Z")
Who knew the _My Pillow_ guy was a BLM Antifa?! ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2021, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182/3117 "2021-01-15T22:40:41Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > I _suspect_ that Pence is holding this as an action to ensure Trump’s “good” behavior until the inauguration. Trump steps out of line, and he invokes it. I think this is the case. Remember back on the night of the 6th, in was announced that Pence had approved the deployment of the National Guard to the Capitol, despite having no legal right to do so? I think a coup actually took place that night, and that Mike Pence is currently the de-facto acting President of the United States, backed by McConnel and Pelosi. I think the three of them - a temporary, alliance of necessity - called Trump that very evening and told him that if he sat down and shut up, they’d let him pretend to be President until the 20th, and that everything he’s said in public since then has been with their approval. I also think that the Pentagon and the the heads of the national security apparatus are in the loop, and are playing along. Of course, I could be wrong. But I hope I’m not. ---
**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:** [January 15, 2021, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182/3118 "2021-01-15T22:50:48Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Remember back on the night of the 6th, in was announced that Pence had approved the deployment of the National Guard to the Capitol, despite having no legal right to do so? As I recall, what was reported was that Trump several days before had discussed deployment in general terms, if necessary, with DoD. On the day, Trump has no interest in talking about it, and I think Pence & DoD & the lawyers decided that what Trump had said days before was enough legal cover to go ahead and deploy. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2021, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182/3119 "2021-01-15T22:55:25Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > The MyPilllow guy met with Trump today. With [visible notes](https://twitter.com/jabinbotsford/status/1350186100564905985) about how to take over the government. Here’s a little analysis on what it might mean. The bit about invoking the Insurrection Act, imposing martial law, and blaming the election loss on China and Iran is a bit scary. Or as the Post puts it: > Perhaps in the future, we will find it grimly amusing that a pillow salesman tried to pitch the president’s team on a strategy for lying to the public and using the military to subvert the democratic election of his successor. > > It is not currently amusing. > **[Analysis | A pillow salesman apparently has some ideas about declaring...](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/01/15/pillow-salesman-apparently-has-some-ideas-about-declaring-martial-law/)** > > Trump loyalist Mike Lindell showed up at the White House on Friday with notes that raise alarming possibilities. ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2021, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182/3120 "2021-01-15T22:55:53Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > I _suspect_ that Pence is holding this as an action to ensure Trump’s “good” behavior until the inauguration. Trump steps out of line, and he invokes it. I think you (and others) are giving Pence a _lot_ more credit than he deserves. Occam’s Razor suggests he is just being a craven toady. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2021, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182/3121 "2021-01-15T22:56:24Z")
2020 you is facing 2000 you and your job is to explain the following image in a way which makes 2000 you understand. Question: How long does it take? [![Imgur](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50838765898_67f7235ce9_z.jpg "2021-01-15\_04-53-35") ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/68782016@N08/50838765898/) ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2021, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182/3122 "2021-01-15T23:02:00Z")
I would like to note that within the past two months we have seen the legitimate unraveling of Trump’s power in a way not seen even with Nixon. The fact that he is resorting to meeting with the MyPillow guy with a mere five days on the clock is, oddly, reassuring to me. At least he isn’t meeting with these guys - or, more likely, he did and this was their response: [![Imgur](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50838782963_5b8746eaf2_b.jpg "2021-01-15\_05-01-26") ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/68782016@N08/50838782963/) ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Colossus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.colossus/32/9423_2.png) [@Dr.Colossus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Colossus)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2021, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182/3123 "2021-01-15T23:22:08Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > The MyPilllow guy met with Trump today. With [visible notes](https://twitter.com/jabinbotsford/status/1350186100564905985) about how to take over the government. > [@TroutMan](#): > > Here’s a little analysis on what it might mean. The bit about invoking the Insurrection Act, imposing martial law, and blaming the election loss on China and Iran is a bit scary. Guys I’m a little behind (had an unexpected tragedy I’ve been dealing with) and trying to catch up (distract myself)– So this morning on r/outoftheloop, [someone was asking what’s up with all of these texts floating around claiming “something big is about to happen…”](https://old.reddit.com/r/OutOfTheLoop/comments/kxnafx/whats_going_on_with_conservative_parents_warning/) > Answer: Since the major social networks started banning all the conspiracy propagators, and Parler shut down, the Qanon stuff is spreading via texts (which like a game of password, lose more context every time they’re forwarded). > > This one is based on the idea that instead of an inauguration, on January 20, Trump will declare “global martial law” and shut down the internet and radio and TV broadcasts, and use the emergency alert system and satellites to broadcast to every phone and TV announcing all the celebrities and democratic politicians they’ve arrested, and will broadcast live “tribunals” and mass executions (for treason or child trafficking or for stealing the election, pick your poison). Not sure if they expect power to be shut off or just mass lockdowns, but a lot of the texts encourage people to stock up on food and supplies cause they expect the whole country to shut down. > > This concept has actually been floating around for awhile but now that it’s getting closer to Trump’s presidency actually ending, the ways they expect him to get out of it get crazier and crazier so this one is picking up steam. > > edited to add: an [nbc news recap](https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/internet/qanon-falsehoods-move-text-message-chains-n1253962), how could I have forgotten the “don’t update your iPhone software or you won’t get Trump’s messages” part So all that sounds absurd enough that I don’t need to waste any energy worrying or thinking about it. But then someone pointed out Lankford is currently debunking a lot of these rumors point-by-point on his [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/SenatorLankford/posts/3885479061514387) Story…(I don’t know how to link offsite from FB so I know many of you will be put off…but basically he goes line-by-line and debunks Antifa being in the insurrection, Martial Law, Why the National Guard is being called up, Why there’s increased military activity, How the president cannot take over the Emergency Broadcast System, Etc… Now the My Pillow Guy is seen with that paper basically outlining that they are AT LEAST CONSIDERING ALL THIS… WTH? Also, what does the My Pillow Guy bring to the table…is it just like the couple in St Louis who pointed guns at the BLM, the GOP is so desperate for celebrities they will take anything they can get? He is bringing supreme comfort to the coup? …is there some unknown crossover between running an empire of soft pillows AND strategic military insurrections? ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2021, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182/3124 "2021-01-15T23:25:32Z")
The my pillow guy is just another deluded Q supporter. The fact that it is _he_ who is meeting with the _President of the United States_ is more an indication of Trump’s real decline in power as any I’ve seen. ---
**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:** [January 15, 2021, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182/3125 "2021-01-15T23:34:13Z")
It’s turning into a Monty Python American Coup Sketch: Right! If that’s the way you want it – Lindell! Poke them with the soft cushions! \*(Trump): Confess! Confess! Confess! Lindell: It doesn’t seem to be hurting them, lord. Trump: Have you got all the stuffing up one end? ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Colossus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.colossus/32/9423_2.png) [@Dr.Colossus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Colossus)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2021, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182/3126 "2021-01-15T23:37:59Z")
Is that what they mean by a “Soft Coup?” > “Look, Sir, I know the idea of a Pillow Fight War sounds feckless, but if you bunch up a memory foam pillow really tight…it’ll wallop…And I have warehouses full of these ready to roll out!” (That pic of him w the papers is so absurd we can just laugh this off, right? BC 10 days ago I would have said what has happened would NEVER happen and I no longer feel comfortable predicting anything. At the very least no one of any standing is going to honor any illegal military action he declares, right?) ---
**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:** [January 15, 2021, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182/3127 "2021-01-15T23:46:09Z")
As my brother said a few seconds ago :”his last remaining adviser is a crackhead that sells pillows on TV.” Once again, I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. That’s wrong, I’m laughing my ass off. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182.md?page=155) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182.md?page=157)