# 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:** 18
**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:** [November 14, 2020, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182/341 "2020-11-14T22:56:14Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > the dedicated senior career public servants are more often than not the unsung heroes. I’m not sure what’s to keep them many of them from being fired as well. There are protections, but they only go so far. Especially when Trump’s EO goes into effect the day before the transition. My understanding is that once that goes into effect, he would be able to fire Dr. Fauci and people like him directly. ---
**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:** [November 14, 2020, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182/342 "2020-11-14T23:16:31Z")
Trump’s lawsuits are getting laughed out of court one by one, it seems incredibly unlikely his SCOTUS lackeys can intervene. On the military side, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs has put the kibosh on anything remotely resembling a seizure of power. And Trump cannot fire him. So I’m not worried about SCOTUS or the military spoiling the election or transfer of power. I’m sure Trump would love to stay in power forever. But I don’t think anybody in the admin is running around with a binder labeled “COUP PLANS”. More likely, he’s instructed the entire administration to “see if there’s anything you can do” (wink wink) with the hope that something eventually sticks and begins to snowball in his favor. That’s always been his MO and path to corrupting people. But it’s not going to work this time because: 1. Their options available to “do what they can” are increasingly illegal and carry large penalties 2. They know nobody can protect them if it doesn’t work 3. They know this is an incredibly huge longshot. So, without Trump being able to leverage SCOTUS and the military, I can’t even see where he wields the power to come close to pulling off a coup. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2020, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182/343 "2020-11-14T23:25:24Z")
Yeah. _“We must hang together or surely we shall hang separately”_ could work if they all had their necks on the line but they don’t and they sure are not going to sign-up to do so now. ---
**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2020, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182/344 "2020-11-15T11:40:40Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > I was in New York (Manhattan) for the anti-Trump rallies… > I’m still not sure where 70 million Trump supporters really are. It’s thinking like this which will get Trump and his party re-elected in 2024. And in 2028. And 2032. You’re living in a dangerous fantasy world. Please step out of your bubble in Manhattan, get off the subway and into a car.Or better yet, a pickup truck. Spend some time driving around flyover country.When you get hungry, you won’t find too many sushi bars, so stop at the local diner. Talk to the people there. And listen carefully. . ---
**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:** [November 15, 2020, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182/345 "2020-11-15T12:39:16Z")
> [@chappachula](#): > > Spend some time driving around flyover country.When you get hungry, you won’t find too many sushi bars, so stop at the local diner. Talk to the people there. And listen carefully. I remember when Trump won the election that everybody was insisting we had to go to diners and listen harder to Trump voters. Now that Trump’s lost the election they insist we still need to go out and listen to some Trump voters. Maybe we heard them. Maybe that’s how we beat them. Maybe the ones in a dangerous fantasy world are the ones who think he’ll be inaugurated again on January 20th. Trump voters are a political minority who lost the election. We should listen to them, yes, but otherwise they get to sit back and process the consequences of what they did. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2020, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182/346 "2020-11-15T12:43:56Z")
Thanks. That is reassuring. We shouldn’t be too surprised that most of the institutional knowledge is distributed among certain apolitical civil servants, many of whom will keep their jobs during and after the transition; and those that don’t will make absolutely sure that their incoming counterparts are up to speed. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2020, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182/347 "2020-11-15T12:47:00Z")
> [@chappachula](#): > > Please step out of your bubble in Manhattan, get off the subway and into a car.Or better yet, a pickup truck. > Spend some time driving around flyover country The Staten Island Ferry will get you there in 20 minutes — I believe for free! ---
**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2020, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182/348 "2020-11-15T13:13:13Z")
> [@HMS\_Irruncible](#): > > I remember when Trump won the election that everybody was insisting we had to go to diners and listen harder to Trump voters. > Now that Trump’s lost the election they insist we still need to go out and listen to some Trump voters. > Maybe we heard them. Maybe that’s how we beat them. > Trump voters are a political minority who lost the election. We didnt “beat them”. We just barely happened to win one race (the White House), while losing ALL the other races. (Congress, and state level). The difference between Dem and Repub victory is less than 1%… Trump won in 2016 by 1% in two states. Biden won now by 1% in two states,and less than one-quarter of 1% in Georgia. If there had been a viable third party, Biden would have lost. Neither side can say the other is a minority…One percent is too close to determine either way…it’s just flip of a coin every 4 years, with the advantage going to the Republicans because of the electoral college. This thread is about a potential coup. Which I am sure won’t happen this year. But the fact that we are even discussing the possibility shows that American democracy floats on weaker foundations than I ever dreamed could happen. > [@HMS\_Irruncible](#): > > they get to sit back and process the consequences of what they did. Don’t rest easy. Go to flyover country. Respect the folks there, and work with them. So we hopefully won’t need to worry about any more coups. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2020, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182/349 "2020-11-15T13:25:16Z")
> [@chappachula](#): > > Don’t rest easy. > Go to flyover country. Respect the folks there, and work with them. I take your point — I live in a purple neighborhood in a purple state in flyover country — but “respect”? Hah! That ship sailed long ago. ---
**Author:** ![JayRx1981](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/71e660/32.png) [@JayRx1981](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JayRx1981)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2020, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182/350 "2020-11-15T13:28:57Z")
[GOP Leaders In 4 States Quash Dubious Trump Scheme On Electors](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/gop-leaders-in-4-states-quash-dubious-trump-scheme-on-electors_n_5fb043bec5b6c5f3d2f7ec15) It’s from the Huffington Post, so make of that what you will, but at least 4 GOP controlled state legislatures’ leaders in the “swing” states in question are on record that they would not send their own slate of electors to the electoral college, but will follow the will of the people and send the winning electoral slate. Could they be “do as I say, not as I do” Republicans, sure, it is possible. But all 4 of those would have to be lying for Trump to win. ---
**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:** [November 15, 2020, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182/351 "2020-11-15T13:38:23Z")
> [@chappachula](#): > > Respect the folks there, and work with them. Would you tell them the same thing, and if so, would they listen? Remember, both sides have to make concessions if you want peace. ---
**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:** [November 15, 2020, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182/352 "2020-11-15T13:40:37Z")
> [@JayRx1981](#): > > [GOP Leaders In 4 States Quash Dubious Trump Scheme On Electors](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/gop-leaders-in-4-states-quash-dubious-trump-scheme-on-electors_n_5fb043bec5b6c5f3d2f7ec15) > > It’s from the Huffington Post, so make of that what you will, but at least 4 GOP controlled state legislatures’ leaders in the “swing” states in question are on record that they would not send their own slate of electors to the electoral college, but will follow the will of the people and send the winning electoral slate. Could they be “do as I say, not as I do” Republicans, sure, it is possible. But all 4 of those would have to be lying for Trump to win. Also on AP, so credible. I have found Huff Post to be credible, too. > **[GOP leaders in 4 states quash dubious Trump bid on electors](https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-joe-biden-donald-trump-legislature-pennsylvania-b199b2debc87fbb20612a48835bc0dba)** > > Republican leaders in four critical states won by President-elect Joe Biden say they won’t participate in a legally dubious scheme to flip their state’s electors to vote for President Donald Trump. ---
**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:** [November 15, 2020, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182/353 "2020-11-15T13:50:50Z")
Lol, looks like he’s entered the acceptance stage… barely: > > > Jesse Watters Primetime @jesseprimetime ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2020, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182/354 "2020-11-15T13:53:37Z")
I live in flyover country. (Illinois) Election day the Trumper at work was relishing all the “crying and tears” he’d see the following day. Instead, he was mystified that Trump, with his “silent majority” lost. Fuck respecting him. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2020, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182/355 "2020-11-15T14:39:18Z")
> [@HMS\_Irruncible](#): > > But I don’t think anybody in the admin is running around with a binder labeled “COUP PLANS”. Trumps administration? It’s not a binder, it’s a single sheet of paper thumb tacked to bulletin boards in break rooms. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2020, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182/356 "2020-11-15T15:19:50Z")
Fareed Zakaria just provided an excellent summary of how Trump, his enablers and his supporters, are using shocking similar rhetoric to that of Weimar Germany post WWI. The undermining of the legitimacy of democracy, demonizing the enemies of the state, pitting people against one another and demanding vengeance were precisely the tactics Hitler used and which lead to resulting horrors. I don’t think Trump will succeed in doing what Hitler did. Trump is far too stupid and incompetent. I’m worried about the more competent and charismatic fascist who comes on his heels with a ready and willing following of 72.5M aggrieved ignorants. And now Bolton is being the voice of reason with respect to blaming the GOP for failing to uphold the democratic election process and condemning Trump’s distortions. ---
**Author:** ![Chad\_Sudan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chad_sudan/32/4509_2.png) [@Chad\_Sudan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chad_Sudan)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2020, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182/357 "2020-11-15T15:42:01Z")
“I think it’s very important for leaders in the Republican Party to explain to our voters, who are not as stupid as the Democrats think, that, in fact, Trump has lost the election and that his claims of election fraud are baseless.” – John Bolton, former national security adviser, today on ABC’s “This Week” Good thing Republican voters are “not as stupid as the Democrats think”! Apparently they just need someone to explain to them what is obvious to everyone else. ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2020, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182/358 "2020-11-15T15:44:23Z")
I’m still not buying his book. ---
**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:** [November 15, 2020, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182/359 "2020-11-15T15:53:44Z")
Hell, I’m still not buying his schtick. ---
**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:** [November 15, 2020, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182/360 "2020-11-15T16:10:38Z")
> [@chappachula](#): > > Go to flyover country. Respect the folks there, and work with them. > So we hopefully won’t need to worry about any more coups. I live in flyover country. I have little choice but to listen to them. They are my family, my neighbors, my clients, some of my employees and most of my acquaintances. They are full of hate and lies. Not all of them, not all the time. But about anything political, all they can do is regurgitate right wing walking points. Oh, and there is a very popular Sushi bar around here (kindof, struggling with the pandemic), which is run by one of the most right wing individuals I have ever met. Maybe you need to get out of _your_ bubble as well. “Get in a pickup truck?” Isn’t that you stereotyping? We listen. We have been listening. The problem is, is that a conversation needs to go both ways, and they are more than willing to give an earful, but they are _not_ willing to listen. Every compromise on our part is met with more demands on theirs. We are supposed to respect them? Respect is earned, not demanded. What the solution is, I really don’t know. But this whole listen and respect thing, giving them everything that they want? It’s been tried, it didn’t work. It just enabled them further. Giving in to the tantrums of a toddler never works, but what do you do when they have a gun pointed at your head? As long as they have that power, they will never learn, they will never listen, they will just threaten the very core of our civilization and society in exchange for their short sighted, selfish desires. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182.md?page=17) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-coup-11-9-2020/925182.md?page=19)