So, Trump won't "commit to a peaceful transfer of power". SO. EFFING. WHAT?

[Atticus]

Why even ask him if he will? Doesn't just asking him imply that he has a CHOICE? He does not have a choice!

He does not consent to the election. Will that stop it?

He does not consent to being criticized. Has that stopped it?

He probably would not consent to Joe's next breath. Is Joe still with us?

We will drag his skanky ass out of the White House if he refuses to leave after losing the election and it will mean NOTHING that he doesn't "consent"! All the breathless outrage about his arrogant statement has done just one thing: it has moved 203,000 covid deaths to the back burner.

When has "I don't consent" ever stopped a criminal from going to prison?

[Ninga]

1. Sorry, it's more than Blustery words it's actual deeds

The article in the Atlantic says the Trump campaign officials Have already contacted election officials in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin to discuss a change in how the electors for the electoral college cast their vote’s in those states.

[Newest Reality]

2. +1000

[Ninga]

7. Seriously people. It is not his words it's his actions!

Did anyone read the Atlantic article about how he’s going to steal the election? About how the electoral college can possibly be thrown to his favor?

[Atticus]

20. Uh-huh---"he's going to steal the election" just as surely as he's going to withhold

funding from school districts without totally in person classes; as surely as "Mexico will pay for the (unbuilt) wall"; as surely as we'll see his healthcare plan "in two weeks".

He is desperate. He is shovelling any bullshit he thinks might distract, outrage and demoralize us.

[gab13by13]

21. So if Biden wins Pa.

the law says that Democrats choose the electors. Trump is unilaterally telling the Pa. legislators to choose the electors. Come Jan. 6th Pa. will have 2 sets of electors. Will the most conservative Supreme Court in the land go against the will of the people in Pa. and allow Trump to win the state? Not a good look for Trump. One thing that is certain is that if the election is still up in the air on Jan. 20th, Nancy Pelosi becomes our acting president.

[Fiendish Thingy]

25. The article in the Atlantic completely ignores the role and power of the Dem Govs and Secs of state

The Governors and Secs of state have considerable power. If the Atlantic scenario plays out the Governors could ignore the legislature, complete the count, certify the results, and appoint the appropriate slate of electors.

In PA, it would be illegal for the legislature to appoint electors without first changing the election code, which requires the Governors signature.

If they went ahead anyway, it could be fought in court, or the state would send two slates of electors, and if the Dems take the senate, the fake slate would be rejected on Jan. 6.

The Atlantic article, at best, is report on the attempts by Trump to cheat, but does not address the real world probabilities in response to that cheating.

[Ninga]

33. Are those Republican governors you speak of? As in Ohio? As in Fla? Etc. Nt

[Fiendish Thingy]

56. Biden doesn't need FL or OH

The Dem govs I speak of are in PA, WI, NC and MI

[Tommymac]

34. +10000 Thanks for shining the light of reason. n/t

[mitch96]

3. "We will drag his skanky ass out of the White House" Ahhh the magic phrase....

Who is the "WE" that will drag him out? Secret Service? Congress Sargent at arms?
What will he do between the election and the date he must leave. My fear is he will surround him self with the Blackwater crew and not move. It will go to the conservative Supreme court and.....
well that's my fear.. He looses but does not leave. Putin is pulling the strings. Look at russian meddling in Belarus. Total scam with an army behind it.

[ihas2stinkyfeet]

10. the sergeant at arms will be sent by the speqker.

relax ppl.

[A HERETIC I AM]

15. It won't be the Sargent At Arms who removes him.

I don't think it will go that far at all, frankly.

It is the Secret Service's sworn duty to protect "The President". That is an office holder, not an individual or particular person.

Once the election is certified by the Senate in early December it is a done deal, and the instant the words "So help me god" leave Biden's mouth, Trumpy is no longer president.

If he refuses to leave The White House, a detail will pick him up bodily and carry him out to the corner of 15th and Pennsylvania Ave (or any of the other 3 corners of the grounds), drop him and immediately revoke his access to the property.

He can try and make as much noise as he wants beforehand, but when the Senate certifies the election results and declares Biden the winner, it's a done deal.

And no members of any Blackwater group or biker gangs or gun toting Trumpy cultists are going to able to do a damned thing about it.

[ihas2stinkyfeet]

17. pelosi has addressed this.

"there is a process"

[Bobstandard]

29. The Blackwater crew is on scene

In Kentucky and we can expect to see them elsewhere as the race continues and voting begins. They’ll be in DC in force on November 2. We need to be there too, and massively. And if you can’t drive or fly to DC, plan on going to the capitals of the battleground states to counter trumps brown shirts.

[lastlib]

43. He can walk his "skanky ass" out the door politely on Jan.20.....

Or We The People will DRAG it out IMpolitely.

He can surround himself with Blackwater thugs all he wants--but after noon on Jan. 20th, he AIN'T president any more. Any judge can swear in Joe or Nancy as needed, and then the forces of good and light move in--and if he ain't gone by then, we/they haul him out with the rest of the trash. Sgt. at Arms, Secret Service, U.S. Marshals, FBI, Marines, We The People--he goes. Period. Blood may be shed, but he goes.

"If this be treason, then MAKE THE MOST of it."

[TigressDem]

4. When has "I don't consent" ever stopped a criminal from going to prison?

Sigh.


When said criminal is the warden of said prison?


Unfortunately GW left Dump a tool where he can declare "military law" over "a state of emergency" so he doesn't have to step down from the office until the crises is over. Having all this COVID mess and the unrest over police killings of blacks with no consequences, he COULD take that action since he's deposed most anyone who holds him accountable for anything.


It will be the Second Civil War if he doesn't leave and I know which side I will be on, but he will have the whole military and police legally on "his" side unless they defect to the "People's side".

[Atticus]

27. He "COULD" call bananas apples, but that won't change how we peel 'em. nt

[padfun]

32. No

Actually the whole military and police wouldnt be legally on "his" side.

[The Blue Flower]

5. Everytime he flaps his ugly lips, he strengthens our resolve

I want him to keep talking. And we need to keep asking r officials if they support hims.

[Kitchari]

6. Agree: he has no choice

The rest is psyops

[ihas2stinkyfeet]

11. working pretty well right here, too.

sad.

[Kitchari]

55. Exactly

IRL some of my normally levelheadef friends are also freaking out

[Squinch]

8. This. And this needs to be shouted from the rooftops.

[babylonsister]

9. Dan Rather is alarmed...

What Donald Trump said today are the words of a dictator. To telegraph that he would consider becoming the first president in American history not to accept the peaceful transfer of power is not a throw-away line. It's not a joke. He doesn't joke. And it is not prospective. The words are already seeding a threat of violence and illegitimacy into our electoral process.

[Klaralven]

12. That's what the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment is for

Since its inception in 1942, the Military District of Washington has been involved in protecting and staging special event ceremonies. These ceremonies include inauguration ceremonies starting with Franklin Roosevelt's 4th inauguration on January 20th, 1945.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Army_Military_District_of_Washington

[Aviation Pro]

13. A brigade of the 82nd Airborne would beg to differ

I'd like to see 1st Brigade, the Devil's Brigade, set up a cantonment area around the White House augmented by 1st Battalion (Attack), 82nd Aviation Regiment (AH-64 Apaches) for Shitbag's 'protection' before his removal from the residence/bunker.

[lastlib]

45. They take orders from the Commander-in-Chief.

Starting noon Jan. 20, that ain't him. It'll take one sentence from Pres. Joe to them: "Stand down, and take Donny out with you."

[Roy Rolling]

14. Exactly

Who keeps asking someone with no legal authority to refuse to leave the White House what he will do?

Must the rules be changed or some technicality be invoked every time Republicans lose an election?

[malaise]

16. SO. EFFING. WHAT?

This

Rec

[FakeNoose]

18. The landlords will send him an eviction notice

Shut off his electric, water, gas and cable. Block his phones, ban him from Twitter. Recall his vehicles including Air Force One and Two, and the helicopter. Bar any federal employees from entering the building. No deliveries of any kind. No press or TV coverage.

How long do you think he'd last in there?

[LoveMyCali]

46. What if he doesn't leave

If I visit Buckingham Palace it doesn't make me the Queen of England. Joe will be the President even if he's in a different residence.

[dware]

54. Exactly!!!!! nt

[world wide wally]

19. Every Republican running for office this year needs to be asked if they will support Trump

if he refuses to leave when the votes are counted. Let them be on the record.

[Duppers]

30. Exactly!

[gab13by13]

22. If the election is up in the air on Jan. 20th,

president Pelosi can dig up the concrete in the Rose Garden and bring back the crab apple trees.

[berni_mccoy]

23. Well said

[LuckyCharms]

24. Yup. K&R. n/t

[dicksmc3]

26. SAY WHAT??

Are you kidding me?? Right?? He came right out and said it yesterday and the day before. He will NOT GIVE UP THE WH EVEN if he loses so badly it's indisputable. He will install the new Supreme Court judge and tell her exactly what is expected of her -- she will be the vote that allows him to stay in the WH as a DICTATOR!! It couldn't be any more visible to you and the rest of the TRUMPERS!! We all knew what he's capable of and that is GINNING up his base. If the election is close he will DOG WHISTLE those dumb asses to take up arms! His base is NUTS!! A cult following always is and that is what his base really is -- a CULT FOLLOWING!! Please if you are a Biden-Harris supporter, quit posting BULLSHIT like this comment.. THANKS..

[Atticus]

28. Bless your heart. nt

[dware]

39. I've been noticing a trend lately here on DU,

a lot of dormant low post accounts have suddenly come to life...makes one wonder what the true agendas are.

[Pluvious]

42. It would be surprising to NOT see any provocateurs working DU at this time n/t

[dware]

44. I would be shocked if they weren't,

and, IMHO, that may be what's happening.

I'll bet MIRT is busy as hell.

[jayfish]

47. Says Mr. Low-Post Account Who Activated Less Than a Year Ago.

Telling everyone to sleep on this, in-spite of everything we've seen, makes me wonder what your true agenda is.

[dware]

49. As I have explained before,

I have been here since 2001, but, unfortunately, in 2004, life intervened and I had to take a 15 year hiatus.

Good enough for you?

And just where the hell did I say sleep on this?

[BannonsLiver]

52. They are trolls working to depress turnout and sew discord

[dware]

53. No doubt. nt

[dware]

40. BTW,

I wholeheartedly agree with you, so effing what is he refuses to accept the results, he will be removed if he loses.

[Bobstandard]

31. He's venal, mendacious, and power hungry, but not nuts

He’s got a plan and he’s working it. That’s not nuts. It’s worse than that. He’s evil.

[Tommymac]

36. Not bullshit. Stop trying to scare people.

Jeez. Get a life.

[BannonsLiver]

50. There there

Bless your little heart.

[FakeNoose]

57. Trolls are invited to leave quickly and quietly

Buh-bye!

[Atticus]

59. That's a great pic, but where is his MAGA cap? nt

[we can do it]

35. His term ends in January. Period.

[volstork]

37. THANK YOU.

He has no choice.

[PatrickforO]

38. Test post - I got a Error 404 Forbidden on another thread.

[matt819]

41. Absolutely right

There are three outcomes:

Outcome 1: He wins. And the win is so vast that there is no question that he won. Even accounting for possible/likely corruption, he still won. How this could happen is beyond my imagining, but if it happens, it happens. It is what it is. What happens then? The country dies. Talk about splitting up skyrockets from the left. Maybe there's violence, maybe not. Maybe life will go on, maybe not. This is the worst possible outcome.

Outcome 2: Joe Biden wins. And the win is so vast that there is no question that Joe Biden won. The win is so big that there's no way that trump claims of corruption will be believable. Notwithstanding my next comments, this is the best possible outcome. What happens then? Well, the following 2 1/2 months will be fantastically rocky, probably dangerous. Talk about splitting up skyrockets from the right. Violence is inevitable. trump will call out his followers and they will take to the streets. People will die. The current regime will not participate in the peaceful transition. But keep in mind. That doesn't matter. Joe Biden knows his way around the WH and around government. He is prepared to be president with our without cooperation from the current regime. At noon on January 20, 2021, trump is no longer president. The football is under Joe Biden's control. The military answers to Joe Biden. Every civilian agency answers to Joe Biden. Every cabinet secretary and every "acting" official and every Schedule C appointee is out of a job. If trump refuses to leave the WH, again, that doesn't matter. The Secret Service, assisted by whatever agencies it deems appropriate, will ensure that he leaves by noon on January 20, 2021. This is the best possible outcome, notwithstanding the turmoil.

Outcome 3: Chaos. Maybe it looks like trump wins. Maybe it looks like Biden wins. Lawsuits proliferate. People take to the streets. Maybe a president is named by January 20, 2021, maybe not. If not, the Speaker of the House, almost certainly Nancy Pelosi, becomes acting president. (At least according to a tweet from John Dean, which I'm assuming is correct.) What happens next? I would expect/hope that trump is out of the WH, even if Joe Biden isn't in. And I would appreciate if someone could contribute to this discussion by explaining what an "acting president" can and cannot do. Not the best outcome, but an acceptable one, for as long as it lasts.

There is a variant, the one I call the Banana Republic variant. What if the military lines up behind an uncertain trump "win." Then all bets are off and we are in an exponentially worse possible outcome.

I'm tempted to end this by saying, the bottom line is. . . But there really is no bottom line. We are in uncharted territory, and it is potentially terrifying. For now, at least, we are a nation of rules and laws. And unless a vast number of trumpists turn out on election day, Joe Biden is almost certainly going to be the next president, and it doesn't matter whether trump will assist in the transition or go quietly. And "The Media" needs to stop asking this question. Ask him about why he refuses to give a DNA sample. Ask him about violations of the emoluments laws. Ask him about the hypocrisy of calling for Obama's resignation after 2 died of the Ebola virus and giving himself an A+ with more than 200,000 dead due to his genocidal actions. And more. But how he feels about peaceful transition? It's irrelevant.

[treestar]

48. Just another example of the media letting him

make hay out of nothing and get attention for it.

They want him to win; their rating must have been higher throughout his term, due to his outrageousness.

[melman]

51. Here's what you're missing

When he says this shit he is sending a message to his demented followers. And you can bet that they are hearing it.

[AntiFascist]

61. Also he's trying to give license for Republican controlled state legislatures to cause trouble...

the threat of violence is less concerning than the threat of individual states going rogue in how they count their votes.

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

58. I'm most disturbed that the media isn't reporting this in a way that clearly explains

exactly how fked up it is that a POTUS is saying this at all, much less and still being supported by any US citizen!

[LanternWaste]

60. A lot of people have grasped onto this as the one and only one truth he's ever told.

And follow that up with non-sequiturs, it-does-not-follows, and post hoc ergo propter hocs as absolute proof he's being truthful about his plans. This one and only one time.

Me? I'm just gonna hitch up my trousers, work to GOTV, and finally take the day off and vote on the 3rd. I'm getting older and don't have enough excess hair to pull out or set on fire.

Been around long almost enough that the tired, apocalyptical refrains of The Sky Is Falling has become whiter noise to me than Taylor Swift getting piped through the speakers of a Starbucks in a hipster neighborhood. But, if I do get taken to a re-education camp on the 4th due to my Biden 2020 bumper sticker, I s'pose Henny Penny gets the last laugh.

Until then though, I can only think a lot of people are being played by an orange idiot's simplistic commercial branding and button-pushing with more passion (though less talent) than a third-chair fiddle in a jug band.