What does a TRUMP presidency look like?

[garbon]

So, let's say Trump loses the election.

Will he actually leave office, or will he cry foul and hang on as long as he can?

If he leaves office, how much scorched earth will he create during the transition?

You assume there will be an election.

I can't see why the military would support him in an attempted coup.

If the entire federal government supports him, will the military rebel?

All he has to do is declare some emergency based on the epidemic (which will very likely have a harsh second wave in fall) and postpone the election "in the interests of public safety" or some such. I'm sure Bill Barr will advise him on ways to make it sound legal. At this point, the political conditions in the US are such that I can totally imagine something like this being considered and attempted.

Great, but there isn't actually a legal mechanism for it.

https://www.vox.com/2020/3/21/21188152/trump-cancel-november-election-constitution-coronavirus

[garbon]

It is not a waste of time.

I'd argue it isn't a good use of time to drive oneself to depression.

[The Brain]

So, let's say Trump loses the election.

Will he actually leave office, or will he cry foul and hang on as long as he can?

If he leaves office, how much scorched earth will he create during the transition?

You assume there will be an election.

I can't see why the military would support him in an attempted coup.

If the entire federal government supports him, will the military rebel?

All he has to do is declare some emergency based on the epidemic (which will very likely have a harsh second wave in fall) and postpone the election "in the interests of public safety" or some such. I'm sure Bill Barr will advise him on ways to make it sound legal. At this point, the political conditions in the US are such that I can totally imagine something like this being considered and attempted.

Exactly. I think the likeliest scenario is a normal (ha!) election, but if the above happens I won't be at all surprised.

[grumbler]

Exactly. I think the likeliest scenario is a normal (ha!) election, but if the above happens I won't be at all surprised.

Trump won't be president after January 20, 2021 in the absence of elections.

[Syt]

What if Jar-Jar Binks asks the senate to grant the president emergency powers? I've seen that in a documentary once.

[Valmy]

What if Jar-Jar Binks asks the senate to grant the president emergency powers? I've seen that in a documentary once.

Fortunately it would also need to pass the House.

[Razgovory]

Exactly. I think the likeliest scenario is a normal (ha!) election, but if the above happens I won't be at all surprised.

Trump won't be president after January 20, 2021 in the absence of elections.

Trump is require to respond to subpoenas from the House.

[HisMajestyBOB]

What if Jar-Jar Binks asks the senate to grant the president emergency powers? I've seen that in a documentary once.

Fortunately it would also need to pass the House.

Perhaps he could have the Pope crown him Emperor instead.
Or, given that this is America, have Jerry Falwell crown him.

[Eddie Teach]

He's dead.

[FunkMonk]

I suspect the protests and rioting that will occur after either Donald cancels the election or loses the election and then fails to concede will dwarf whatever is happening now.

Come to think of it, the protests and rioting will be yuge if he wins too. That's the United States of America in the year 2020. Laid low by an incredibly lucky simpleton.

[HisMajestyBOB]

He's dead.

Always two there are, the Sr. and the Jr.

[Eddie Teach]

Jr. doesn't have the clout.

[FunkMonk]

He's dead.

Did you ever hear the tragedy of Jerry Falwell "the wise"?

[Solmyr]

So, let's say Trump loses the election.

Will he actually leave office, or will he cry foul and hang on as long as he can?

If he leaves office, how much scorched earth will he create during the transition?

You assume there will be an election.

I can't see why the military would support him in an attempted coup.

If the entire federal government supports him, will the military rebel?

All he has to do is declare some emergency based on the epidemic (which will very likely have a harsh second wave in fall) and postpone the election "in the interests of public safety" or some such. I'm sure Bill Barr will advise him on ways to make it sound legal. At this point, the political conditions in the US are such that I can totally imagine something like this being considered and attempted.

Great, but there isn't actually a legal mechanism for it.

https://www.vox.com/2020/3/21/21188152/trump-cancel-november-election-constitution-coronavirus

Since when did Trump let that stop him?

The President is above the law according to him and his AG. And probably soon according to the SCOTUS as well.

[grumbler]

Since when did Trump let that stop him?

The President is above the law according to him and his AG. And probably soon according to the SCOTUS as well.

The President believing things doesn't create the legal obligation to, or legal protection from, others acting illegally according to his orders.  Remember that all of the sworn members of the government, including the military, are sworn above all else to support the Constitution:

The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States."
— U.S. Constitution, Article VI, clause 3

All members of the US military and naval forces, and of the National Guard, also swear, first and foremost, to support and defend the US Constitution.  It's not like WW2 Germany, where the military swore a personal oath to Adolf Hitler.  If the president of the US sets aside the constitution, his government is full to bursting with people whose sworn duty it would become to bring him down.

Anyone actually following Trump's orders in the aftermath of his overthrowing the constitution would be breaking the law and perhaps committing treason.  No one is going to risk that on the off chance that Trump's coup might work.