Thanks for this explainer - it's worth noting that even during the Civil War, in 1864, we carried out an election. There's no question that the GOP is under Trump's control (he's been their nominee in three consecutive presidential elections and his people have full control of the party apparatus) and it seems likely he'll exert tremendous influence on who the party chooses in 2028 - but the actual odds of him remaining President after this term ends are, as you note, zero. I think there is real damage being done - and more may be - to our Democratic Republic - but the end of elections is not feasibly on the table.
Exactly! This is one of those taking points that finds its way into my comment section and others’ comment sections routinely, and it just isn’t feasible..there are so many factors that go into elections.
I think my concern is more that Trump does not give one tin fuck about laws, courts, etc. His inner child gets all excited any time there’s a chance to humiliate, degrade, otherwise cause someone grief.
I can certainly see him issuing EOs or even just verbally encouraging local militias and nazi-adjacent federal law enforcement agencies like DHS to prevent “illegal Marxist Democrat” voters from “poisoning the blood of this country” etc. Violence, bloodshed, and death ensue, and suddenly all the pundits in the media are talking about how Democrats are making elections more dangerous and we need to enact sweeping changes right now etc.
All of that is to say I do appreciate this article and thank you for posting it. It adds a measure of sanity into what is rapidly becoming an unhinged national conversation.
Thank you for this. At the end of his last term, everyone was afraid he would invoke the Insurrection Act, as if that would make a difference in turning over power. Is the Insurrection Act something we would have to worry about here?
Even then, it can’t stop elections. He can say he will. He can say that he’ll run for a third term or say he isn’t leaving…he say whatever he wants. But at the end of the day, Red States have just as much to lose as the Blue States if he attempted anything like this and the states would not have it.
I think its really important when people want to push a narrative that is defeatist, that we push back with how it really isn't that simple. Especially with all the negative news that is constantly pushed out.
I don’t worry about elections literally being canceled; they still have “elections” in the countries Trump explicitly prefers to this one. My concern is more that Democratic candidates, and not just for president, will “mysteriously” come under “investigation” and that Democratic turnout in urban strongholds will be “mysteriously” low — especially since our wealthy media stars will be happy to note that the parties disagree on the merits of these developments and “leave it there.”
Ah, needed dry air to counter the keyboard warriors and digital Cassandras out there. Thank you for this article.
And for anyone who keeps talking about how the regime cares nothing about laws and how it looks...yeah, you are ignoring a few things. Like the fact that they keep losing in court, even with their own judges. Or like how every time they get sustained pushback, they fold like a cheap card table.
So yeah, they care. But they also want the impossible: to get away with their schemes and look legit doing it.
Yes! And I think the hyperbole is so overdone at this point. I get that a lot of people don’t understand all the various laws that come into play when it comes to all policy..it can complicated. But, I’ve been trying lately to explain things in sort of simple terms so that some of the fears can be alleviated
Keep doing just that, Courtney. Terri Kanefield did that for the longest before she finally had enough of being second-guessed or ignored (or so I thought). We need someone to provide that kind of guidance going forward.
That’s another whole topic I could go off about. The amount of people who consistently show up to tell actual experts or people with actual experience that they are wrong based on fear or vibes is wild to me.
Great writing Courtney. I totally agree but I do have one concern and that is the current Supreme Court. We can’t discount the right wing majority’s decisions when it comes to matters of voting.
Thanks for this explainer - it's worth noting that even during the Civil War, in 1864, we carried out an election. There's no question that the GOP is under Trump's control (he's been their nominee in three consecutive presidential elections and his people have full control of the party apparatus) and it seems likely he'll exert tremendous influence on who the party chooses in 2028 - but the actual odds of him remaining President after this term ends are, as you note, zero. I think there is real damage being done - and more may be - to our Democratic Republic - but the end of elections is not feasibly on the table.
Exactly! This is one of those taking points that finds its way into my comment section and others’ comment sections routinely, and it just isn’t feasible..there are so many factors that go into elections.
I think my concern is more that Trump does not give one tin fuck about laws, courts, etc. His inner child gets all excited any time there’s a chance to humiliate, degrade, otherwise cause someone grief.
I can certainly see him issuing EOs or even just verbally encouraging local militias and nazi-adjacent federal law enforcement agencies like DHS to prevent “illegal Marxist Democrat” voters from “poisoning the blood of this country” etc. Violence, bloodshed, and death ensue, and suddenly all the pundits in the media are talking about how Democrats are making elections more dangerous and we need to enact sweeping changes right now etc.
All of that is to say I do appreciate this article and thank you for posting it. It adds a measure of sanity into what is rapidly becoming an unhinged national conversation.
Thank you for this. At the end of his last term, everyone was afraid he would invoke the Insurrection Act, as if that would make a difference in turning over power. Is the Insurrection Act something we would have to worry about here?
Even then, it can’t stop elections. He can say he will. He can say that he’ll run for a third term or say he isn’t leaving…he say whatever he wants. But at the end of the day, Red States have just as much to lose as the Blue States if he attempted anything like this and the states would not have it.
Thank you, for laying it out.
I think its really important when people want to push a narrative that is defeatist, that we push back with how it really isn't that simple. Especially with all the negative news that is constantly pushed out.
Exactly
I don’t worry about elections literally being canceled; they still have “elections” in the countries Trump explicitly prefers to this one. My concern is more that Democratic candidates, and not just for president, will “mysteriously” come under “investigation” and that Democratic turnout in urban strongholds will be “mysteriously” low — especially since our wealthy media stars will be happy to note that the parties disagree on the merits of these developments and “leave it there.”
When the regime actually comes up to the standards of North Korea (they are falling well short of those right now), then I will worry.
Ah, needed dry air to counter the keyboard warriors and digital Cassandras out there. Thank you for this article.
And for anyone who keeps talking about how the regime cares nothing about laws and how it looks...yeah, you are ignoring a few things. Like the fact that they keep losing in court, even with their own judges. Or like how every time they get sustained pushback, they fold like a cheap card table.
So yeah, they care. But they also want the impossible: to get away with their schemes and look legit doing it.
Yes! And I think the hyperbole is so overdone at this point. I get that a lot of people don’t understand all the various laws that come into play when it comes to all policy..it can complicated. But, I’ve been trying lately to explain things in sort of simple terms so that some of the fears can be alleviated
Keep doing just that, Courtney. Terri Kanefield did that for the longest before she finally had enough of being second-guessed or ignored (or so I thought). We need someone to provide that kind of guidance going forward.
That’s another whole topic I could go off about. The amount of people who consistently show up to tell actual experts or people with actual experience that they are wrong based on fear or vibes is wild to me.
Great writing Courtney. I totally agree but I do have one concern and that is the current Supreme Court. We can’t discount the right wing majority’s decisions when it comes to matters of voting.