When I shared my concerns with my brother he responded: “now don’t take this the wrong way — are you wearing a tinfoil helmet?” I had just explained why I believed Trump was going to declare martial law and the votes would never be counted.
Trump has been repeatedly asked if he would allow for the peaceful transfer of power once the votes were counted. Implicit in this question is a Biden victory once the electoral college numbers are legally tallied and delivered. Pence was asked the same question during his debate. Both men have not said “yes.” Which of course means “no.” They aren’t joking. And if it isn’t peaceful it will be un-peaceful.
To justify this un-peaceful result, Trump, Fox, Pence, republicans have repeatedly told us the vote will be a sham, a cheat, a fraud, a travesty, all directed by democrats, Crooked Hillary, and the deep state. Without republican opposition, Trump has already called the process the most corrupt election in U.S. History. And millions of Americans agree with them. Not to mention the republican politicians who either agree or say nothing.
During the most watched event, Trump directed armed militias to “stand back and stand by.” “Stand by” for what? Violence. For good measure he directed his followers to organize and watch the polls. I’m willing to bet Middle America Suburban Ladies are not showing up to police the polls for Trump. You have to be in deep denial to think this toxic mix ends with a spirited debate and a handshake. Not to worry, no one has shown up armed to the gills or been shot to death during the months of conflict between Trump’s inspired followers and counter-protesters. Or god forbid, tried to kidnap the Michigan Governor.
Am I suggesting Trump is going to use militias to take power? No. The President is going to do what he has done daily — he is going to create chaos. In this case, violent chaos. He will use the violent militias, who are standing by, to incite violence. Imagine how Philadelphia is going to react to such agitation. A city which is a democrat’s safe heaven with a population which is 45% black. When confronted by white, armed, thugs things may get “interesting.” I mention Philly since the president directly warned his followers, in the debate, that what was going on in Philly was horrible as he told his followers to man the polls.
Once the flames have been fanned and Fox has taken every conflagration and made it look bigger and more dire, Trump is going to shut the country down. Martial law. “I had no choice given what ANTIFA, communists, Biden, Clinton and Obama got their followers to do.” He will save America from these evil doers by imposing martial law. And 40% of his followers will agree. No, republican politicians and judges will not suddenly find their intestinal fortitude.
My brother, while laughing at me, asked “and how is he going to do that?” Well there is no law to stop him — or republican for that matter. “Despite the widespread use of martial law in the century that followed the Supreme Court’s ruling in Luther, many of the legal questions surrounding it remain unanswered. The Court has implied that the federal government can declare it but has never said so conclusively. When discussing the possibility of a federal martial law power, the Court has never clearly indicated whether the president could unilaterally declare martial law or if Congress would first need to authorize it.” And even if there was a law against it, would that stop Trump? Barr will be interpreting the law...imagine.
While America has been unable, or unwilling, to stop an insane and out of control thug, Trump has been openly preparing. The DOJ is an example of Trump’s preparation. Even Sessions proved to be too weak for Trump’s plans. That is like calling Goebbels a “softy.” After a number of Attorney Generals he finally found Barr. Barr has turned the DOJ into Trump’s spearhead. The DOJ is not a bunch of white shirted attorneys. The DOJ includes FBI, DEA, U.S. Marshals, ATF, Probation, Interpol Washington, Bureau of Prisons, the whiteshirted United States Attorneys Office, on and on. We haven’t even mentioned Trump is the commander in chief of the military. Trump has been sifting through military commanders separating the wheat from the chaff. Remember General John Kelly...he never chose country over Trump. And he still wasn’t loyal enough. Since the general was fired he’s been an outspoken critic — not.
For the last four years Trump has been auditioning Attorney Generals, military generals, congressmen, Chiefs of Staff, Secretaries of State, etc. His only requirement is blind loyalty. Ones which will say nothing but “yes.” We cannot count on two fingers anyone working for Trump, in the military or in the Republican Party, who will tap the brakes when the chaos begins and Trump declares he has no choice but to declare martial law, throw out the election and remain in power. To this point, I asked my brother “and who has been willing to tap the brakes on Trump? And of those who were willing, who succeeded?” Impeachment only emboldened him.
Would Trump ever go after his adversaries? People like Hillary, Obama and Biden and seek criminal prosecution while we are experiencing martial law? Oh, he has?
While gun and bullets are starting to sell out, and the fuse has been told to “stand by” while being called on to “police the polls,” we can stop this. Make sure there is no violent response. Talk to your friends, family, younger citizens, etc. Don’t take the bait, do not allow Fox and friends the joy of showing one counter protester involved in violence. Imagine if MLK had not demanded non-violence from his fellow protesters. White America would have pasted violent black men on the front of every newspaper to justify the use of dogs, guns — violence against MLK, protesters and sympathizers. Instead, we were horrified by the images of peaceful protesters being set upon.