Will He Go?

[Hypatia_Alexandria]

A very interesting monograph from Prof. Lawrence Douglas on what might happen if, in November, Biden wins by a small majority. Douglas uses various hypothetical scenarios to illustrate that there is nothing in the Constitution to deal with a situation whereby Trump refuses to go quietly.

https://www.amazon.de/s?k=will+he+go...f=nb_sb_noss_2

Any American [although I am not one] concerned about the robustness of their democracy [and the Constitution] would be well advised to read it.

[Reepicheep]

Glad to see you've joined us here in the promised land...

[Whateverman]

A very interesting monograph from Prof. Lawrence Douglas on what might happen if, in November, Biden wins by a small majority. Douglas uses various hypothetical scenarios to illustrate that there is nothing in the Constitution to deal with a situation whereby Trump refuses to go quietly.

https://www.amazon.de/s?k=will+he+go...f=nb_sb_noss_2

Any American [although I am not one] concerned about the robustness of their democracy [and the Constitution] would be well advised to read it.

I've been mulling over questions like the ones this book poses, and I'm not afraid to admit they're a little disconcerting...

[Whateverman]

Glad to see you've joined us here in the promised land...

I fully endorse this POV :)

[Hypatia_Alexandria]

Glad to see you've joined us here in the promised land...

Thank you! I knew Ronson and simplicio had moved but did not know you had as well. I fear the other place will cease to function - traffic has crawled to a standstill and no new members seem to be registering, so I cannot envisage it lasting much longer.

[Thoughtful Monk]

A very interesting monograph from Prof. Lawrence Douglas on what might happen if, in November, Biden wins by a small majority. Douglas uses various hypothetical scenarios to illustrate that there is nothing in the Constitution to deal with a situation whereby Trump refuses to go quietly.

https://www.amazon.de/s?k=will+he+go...f=nb_sb_noss_2

Any American [although I am not one] concerned about the robustness of their democracy [and the Constitution] would be well advised to read it.

Certainly it's a concern and will break new ground if Trump loses and refuses to leave office.

I am equally concerned about if Trump wins and the Democratic party starts claiming he stole the election. I'm already seeing ground laying articles on that being published.

Either way, the next four years are going to continue to be divisive no matter who wins. Neither side seems to be ready to be a gracious loser.

[Hypatia_Alexandria]

I've been mulling over questions like the ones this book poses, and I'm not afraid to admit they're a little disconcerting...

They are frankly very alarming. There is nothing in your Constitution to deal with a situation where one candidate [and a sitting President] refuses to recognise the result of a Presidential election.

Douglas cites historical examples where there has been contention but those were dealt with by the individuals [the most recent being Al Gore in 2000]. I do not imagine Trump would concede for the sake of the country. As Douglas notes "Our Constitution does not secure the peaceful transition of power, but rather presupposes it [...] The peaceful transition is a background condition of democratic governance, a condition created and maintained through tradition and norms. A democracy cannot exist without leaders who respect these norms." He then goes on to ask "

[mikewhitney]

It sounds like we would end up with three Presidents serving simultaneously: Obama, Trump and Biden. That sure would be a weird situation.

I'm not sure why this question is being raised unless it is due to the corruption of the voting system in various states hit hard with covid-19. What is causing some people to ask this question?

If this "analysis" is just to reject the electoral system, that would just result in more vote fraud. The country would be held in hostage until the states finished counting a trillion votes.

With the electoral system, a few states may have trouble counting and validating the votes but not hold up the election of the President -- when there already are sufficient electoral votes.

Probably the best option would be to simply have the State government returning to the governmental selection of the electoral college members. We could just remove the popular vote.

[seanD]

A very interesting monograph from Prof. Lawrence Douglas on what might happen if, in November, Biden wins by a small majority. Douglas uses various hypothetical scenarios to illustrate that there is nothing in the Constitution to deal with a situation whereby Trump refuses to go quietly.

https://www.amazon.de/s?k=will+he+go...f=nb_sb_noss_2

Any American [although I am not one] concerned about the robustness of their democracy [and the Constitution] would be well advised to read it.

This is assuming he wants to be reelected. I think there's a firm possibility he doesn't. But like TM said, I'm way more concerned of the widespread civil unrest we'll likely see if he's is reelected.

[seer]

A very interesting monograph from Prof. Lawrence Douglas on what might happen if, in November, Biden wins by a small majority. Douglas uses various hypothetical scenarios to illustrate that there is nothing in the Constitution to deal with a situation whereby Trump refuses to go quietly.

https://www.amazon.de/s?k=will+he+go...f=nb_sb_noss_2

Any American [although I am not one] concerned about the robustness of their democracy [and the Constitution] would be well advised to read it.

Joe Biden:

"You have so many rank-and-file military personnel saying, 'Whoa, we're not a military state. This is not who we are,' I promise you, I'm absolutely convinced [military officers] will escort him from the White House with great dispatch if Trump refuses to leave."

https://www.theblaze.com/news/biden-...-trump-removed

Instead I think Trump should get justice dept. to just make up crimes, get FISA warrants, and start spying on the Biden campaign...

[Littlejoe]

The dealing with it is pretty simple in my opinion. According to the Constitution, he is no longer President and has no authority. The newly elected president, once he is sworn in, has the authority to remove him...by force if necessary. I can't see any scenario where the Secret Service would not comply with the newly elected president. To me it's a total non-issue...

[KingsGambit]

Actually physically removing Trump from the White House would not be difficult. The real problem would be Trump convincing a large percentage of the population that the election was illegitimate and the sociological issues that would go from there. (He claimed the election was rigged when Ted Cruz defeated him in one state during the 2016 primaries so it's certainly plausible).

[rogue06]

As long as I can remember there was always someone claiming that the current president (whether Democrat or Republican) would refuse to leave office. Typically, they were rightfully dismissed as a crackpot and the transition of power always went relatively smoothly (minus things like spitefully breaking equipment by some of those leaving as in the case of the Clintons).

But this is Trump so the crackpots are of course offered the spotlight and taken seriously

[Cow Poke]

The dealing with it is pretty simple in my opinion. According to the Constitution, he is no longer President and has no authority. The newly elected president, once he is sworn in, has the authority to remove him...by force if necessary. I can't see any scenario where the Secret Service would not comply with the newly elected president. To me it's a total non-issue...

What issue?

[Ronson]

Thank you! I knew Ronson and simplicio had moved but did not know you had as well. I fear the other place will cease to function - traffic has crawled to a standstill and no new members seem to be registering, so I cannot envisage it lasting much longer.

Sizable influx of liberals and progressives. How about some conservative libertarian immigration for a change? Go chase Gondwanaland over here.