Could Trump Try Again?

[Untitled]

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/07/donald-trump-final-13-days-security-threat-politicians-activists-warn

“He needs to be removed,” said Joe Walsh, a former Republican congressman. “He’s a threat to this country. We’re not safe with him in the White House. Our president is this country’s greatest national security threat.”

Walsh added: “What he did yesterday, he could do again tomorrow. He could call another 50,000 people to Washington DC on Sunday to do whatever. He can use the power of his office to incite violence and insurrection again any day for the next 13 days.”

What are the chances that Trump could use his private army again in the next two weeks?

[tomus42]

// We mustn't overestimate Trump. //

I agree. He's no genius, but what we mustn't underestimate is his ability to cause damage and mayhem. An ignoramus with a personality disorder can be very dangerous, as we are seeing.

[jim360]

Well, the 25th seems off the table given that two Cabinet Secretaries who could have signed it chose to resign instead; Impeachment won't lead to a conviction, but this time at least the Democrats should still pursue it.

[jim360]

What I underestimated the most about Trump was how much he believed what he was saying. I hadn't realised before the Georgia call was released that Trump genuinely seemed to think the election was stolen -- until then I'd assumed he was just pushing something he knew not to be true to appeal to his base. Not so: he believes the lies he tells.

[Milo2]

Impeachment, if successful, would also prevent him standing again.

[bhg481]

It would also prevent him giving himself a pardon.

[Sunk]

TTT
// is not traditional for incoming presidents to pardon the outgoing one? Eg tricky dicky? //

That was a Republican President pardoning his former boss the previous Republican President. Not really comparable.

[Mozz71]

Can Trump be pardoned when he hasn't yet be convicted of a crime? Technically, he's still an innocent man.

[sevenOP]

Atheist,
"The pardon of Richard Nixon (formally known as Proclamation 4311) was a presidential proclamation issued by President of the United States Gerald Ford on September 8, 1974. By it, Ford granted to Richard Nixon, his predecessor, a full and unconditional pardon for any crimes that he might have committed against the United States as president."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pardon_of_Richard_Nixon

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/2020/12/controversial-history-presidential-pardons-from-watergate-to-whiskey-rebellion/

[andres]

I don't think Trump will have to do much inciting. His'army' are wound up to the top now and I think this is just the beginning of more violence.

[jackthehat]

If the electorate are not now aware that Trump will never give *something* up voluntarily, then they deserve every single thing that they get by allowing him into another position of authority bar those that he holds as head of the Trump family businesses.

[Atheist]

seven...I don't think that Trump would like to be found to have possibly committed unspecified crimes.

[Untitled]

I agree andres

[Untitled]

"IMO if he doesn’t resign they should wait until he’s gone and then arrest him. Neither impeachment (too little time) nor the 25th (Pence probably wants to live until Easter) seem feasible"

Very fair point. But is there not a degree of unacceptable risk in giving Trump another two weeks to act? If he knows that he will be arrested upon leaving office then perhaps he will simply overthrow the government... despite what he said about peaceful transition (and I don't believe him for a second) he does not strike me as the kind of person to back down.

[burlyshirley]

I don't think he will.

[teacake44]

12.11, I disagree, He and his so called army are finished in my view. He has committed a crime of terrorism, that don't really need to be proven, and I doubt anyone would now even be stupid enough to defend him if charges were bought, or support him in any future attempt to get back into the White house. This idiot needs arresting, nothing less.

[ichkeria]

"Very fair point. But is there not a degree of unacceptable risk in giving Trump another two weeks to act? If he knows that he will be arrested upon leaving office then perhaps he will simply overthrow the government..."

Yes you may be right that it's not a good idea to leave it. I'm torn between wanting him removed forcefully if necessary and balking nother very divisive impeachment process. I think the 25th amendment can be ruled out as it involves Mike Pence taking over and I doubt he'd want to. If he was impeached and removed from office it would prevent him standing again. That thought should concentrate a few minds.
The gravity of what he did can't be overestimated though.

[douglas9401]

He could be dead by the time the next election comes around

No great loss to the world really.

[jim360]

It would only be divisive because the Republicans are cowards who can't face up to their riled-up supporters and tell them that they were wrong and that they have been lied to. I appreciate that this is partly because many of the Republicans were complicit in the lies, but this shouldn't be divisive. Trump incited a riot against the Capitol, he is unfit for office, and hiding behind politics is a lame excuse for refusing to uphold the law.

[teacake44]

I for one don't understand the laws of the US, and more so impeachment, or the 25th amendment. But there's one thing I am pretty sure of, and that is Trump has shown he is a threat and a terrorist to his own country, surly he has waved any rights he may have had.

[Untitled]

He ought to have teacake but as ichkeria and jim point out there are political considerations... unfortunately i think if congress don't grasp the nettle and impeach him then they are giving the fascists the chance to do something divisive instead - they aren't worried about dividing people after all it is what they want.