# What If Trump Doesn't Leave? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [June 15, 2018, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-trump-doesnt-leave/816172 "2018-06-15T20:11:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jim\_B](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jim_b/32/4338_2.png) [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2018, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-trump-doesnt-leave/816172/1 "2018-06-15T20:11:40Z")
A lot of Americans are woefully uninformed. It’s not their fault. It’s just the truth. Anyway, I heard something interesting on _Real Time_ with Bill Maher (I get some of my best information that way;)). 52% of Republicans say they would support postponing the next presidential election, due to voter fraud. I know President Trump also says he admires dictatorships. What if he just declares himself dictator for life? I know to do that, he would need support of other people. He couldn’t just do it alone. So I guess I have two questions: Will he do it? And will he get enough support to get away with it? And perhaps thirdly: Will there then be any way to get him out of power? There is a touching story of George Washington resigning his commission, after the American Revolution, when they could have declared him King. In the USA, we have had a peaceful transference of power for over 200 years. Could that all change now? Thank you to all who reply:) 🙂 🙂 🙂 ---
**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:** [June 15, 2018, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-trump-doesnt-leave/816172/2 "2018-06-15T20:19:14Z")
I would immediately stop working and begin protesting, as loudly and forcefully as possible, that this was unacceptable. I would urge my fellow citizens to bring this country to a standstill until the situation was properly resolved. I would not stop until the situation was properly resolved. I would escalate tactics in necessary. ETA: If a situation like the OP describes comes to pass, I will consider that a revolution/uprising is taking place and I will act accordingly to wrest control of this country back from those who are acting unlawfully. ---
**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:** [June 15, 2018, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-trump-doesnt-leave/816172/3 "2018-06-15T20:40:34Z")
Why should Republicans want to cancel the election due to voter fraud? It would be simpler for them to win the election due to voter fraud. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2018, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-trump-doesnt-leave/816172/4 "2018-06-15T20:46:57Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Why should Republicans want to cancel the election due to voter fraud? It would be simpler for them to win the election due to voter fraud. It’s a back-up plan. ---
**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:** [June 15, 2018, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-trump-doesnt-leave/816172/5 "2018-06-15T20:49:42Z")
No one is more offended and disgusted by Trump and his enablers than I am, but even I don’t think he’d refuse to leave office when his term is up. I’ve been wrong before, but surely this would be too much even for Ryan and McConnell. Right? Please tell me I’m right. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2018, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-trump-doesnt-leave/816172/6 "2018-06-15T20:49:48Z")
> [@Jim\_B](#): > > Anyway, I heard something interesting on _Real Time_ with Bill Maher (I get some of my best information that way;)). Also, a large amount of bullshit. For instance - > [@](#): > > 52% of Republicans say they would support postponing the next presidential election, due to voter fraud. No, they don’t. > [@](#): > > So I guess I have two questions: Will he do it? No, he won’t. > [@](#): > > And will he get enough support to get away with it? No, he won’t. > [@](#): > > And perhaps thirdly: Will there then be any way to get him out of power? Not applicable because of the first two answers. > [@](#): > > There is a touching story of George Washington resigning his commission, after the American Revolution, when they could have declared him King. In the USA, we have had a peaceful transference of power for over 200 years. Could that all change now? No, it won’t. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2018, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-trump-doesnt-leave/816172/7 "2018-06-15T20:50:45Z")
Calling off elections is not something you protest. Calling off elections is something that you go to war over. ---
**Author:** ![Ashtura](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ashtura/32/2963_2.png) [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2018, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-trump-doesnt-leave/816172/8 "2018-06-15T20:51:15Z")
Will he do it? No. The end. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2018, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-trump-doesnt-leave/816172/9 "2018-06-15T20:53:51Z")
Saw this question being asked on these boards about Clinton. Saw this question being asked on these boards about Bush Jr. Saw this question being asked on these boards about Obama. Guess we’re right on schedule. ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2018, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-trump-doesnt-leave/816172/10 "2018-06-15T20:59:12Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > No, he won’t. [If only there was a poll that said 52% of Republicans would support “What if both Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress were to say that the 2020 presidential election should be postponed until the country can make sure that only eligible American citizens can vote?”](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2017/08/10/in-a-new-poll-half-of-republicans-say-they-would-support-postponing-the-2020-election-if-trump-proposed-it/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.864297f47a5d) I agree with everything beyond the first couple points. He wouldn’t get away with it, though I’d wager the idea has been floated in the Oval Office, given the other horrendous things that have leaked out of there. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2018, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-trump-doesnt-leave/816172/11 "2018-06-15T21:05:24Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > Saw this question being asked on these boards about Clinton. > > Saw this question being asked on these boards about Bush Jr. > > Saw this question being asked on these boards about Obama. > > Guess we’re right on schedule. Yup, next up is martial law speculation. And, of course, Clinton was going to use the Y2K bug to stay in office or call off the 2000 Election. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2018, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-trump-doesnt-leave/816172/12 "2018-06-15T21:08:04Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Also, a large amount of bullshit. For instance -No, they don’t. [WaPo](https://www.google.com/search?q=52%25+of+Republicans+say+they+would+support+postponing+the+next+presidential+election%2C+due+to+voter+fraud.&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-b-1) > [@](#): > > Nearly half of Republicans (47 percent) believe that Trump won the popular vote, which is similar to this finding. Larger fractions believe that millions of illegal immigrants voted (68 percent) and that voter fraud happens somewhat or very often (73 percent). Again, this is similar to previous polls. > > Moreover, 52 percent said that they would support postponing the 2020 election, and 56 percent said they would do so if both Trump and Republicans in Congress proposed this. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2018, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-trump-doesnt-leave/816172/13 "2018-06-15T21:10:55Z")
Especially since he **can’t** call off elections. It isn’t his call. There are no federally-run elections - only a bunch of State/Territory/DC elections that all occur on the same day. trump can no longer postpone California’s elections than he can fly to the moon by flapping his arms. On top of that, the people in charge of accepting the results of elections for federal office are members of the Legislative Branch, not the Executive. So he can’t mess with it that way either. Really, people. Were you all asleep in American Government class in high school? ---
**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2018, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-trump-doesnt-leave/816172/14 "2018-06-15T21:11:36Z")
Question for those who think that stalling/cancelling elections would be justification for war - would you also consider going to war if a government went forward with elections while knowing that the election was rigged (perhaps though illegal votes…)? ---
**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:** [June 15, 2018, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-trump-doesnt-leave/816172/15 "2018-06-15T21:21:41Z")
> [@begbert2](#): > > Question for those who think that stalling/cancelling elections would be justification for war - would you also consider going to war if a government went forward with elections while knowing that the election was rigged (perhaps though illegal votes…)? That is comparing apples to oranges, IMO. It is easy to know if the elections were canceled: they don’t happen or aren’t scheduled. It is difficult to know that an election is being rigged. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2018, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-trump-doesnt-leave/816172/16 "2018-06-15T21:24:41Z")
If such a scenario ever happened, it might provide a good reason to retain the 2nd Amendment. ---
**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:** [June 15, 2018, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-trump-doesnt-leave/816172/17 "2018-06-15T21:29:09Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > That is comparing apples to oranges, IMO. It is easy to know if the elections were canceled: they don’t happen or aren’t scheduled. It is difficult to know that an election is being rigged. Didn’t you see 20,000 buses heading into California in Novemver 2016 with unregistered voters? ---
**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2018, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-trump-doesnt-leave/816172/18 "2018-06-15T21:39:03Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > That is comparing apples to oranges, IMO. It is easy to know if the elections were canceled: they don’t happen or aren’t scheduled. It is difficult to know that an election is being rigged. My vague and blurry point was that if you think that cancelling elections is fighting words, you could very easily find people on the opposite side that would see efforts to _have_ the election as fighting words. It could get lively. As a person who doesn’t have a bunker full of guns and a desire to murder, I’d be hunkering down. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2018, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-trump-doesnt-leave/816172/19 "2018-06-15T21:50:50Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Didn’t you see 20,000 buses heading into California in Novemver 2016 with unregistered voters? They didn’t head _into_ California, they were already parked inside the abandoned Walmarts. ---
**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:** [June 15, 2018, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-trump-doesnt-leave/816172/20 "2018-06-15T21:56:06Z")
> [@begbert2](#): > > My vague and blurry point was that if you think that cancelling elections is fighting words, you could very easily find people on the opposite side that would see efforts to _have_ the election as fighting words. It could get lively. I’ll take my chances that far fewer people will be in a fighting mood over things they can’t prove or even provide evidence of. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-trump-doesnt-leave/816172.md?page=2)