Trump has learned a few things this past week.

He learned he has Republicans - with only one exception - in his back pocket.
He learned he can use the powers of the Presidency to influence the upcoming election.
He now knows that the odds of him being impeached again, no matter what he does, are practically nonexistent.

Imagine the following;

It's the day after election day and there is suspicion and accusations of fraud, miscounts or a rigged election. Trump uses this to remain in office. A majority of Republicans support him.

Impossible? After what has occurred over the past years, it's beginning to seem plausible.

One way it would not be plausible would be if the house stays blue and the senate flips. Downballot elections matter.

Perfect impeachment with conviction scenario.

EXACTLY!!! ~ and don't forget the House was smart enough to NOT close the investigation ~

Sooz

I will be in shock if the Democrat, whomever he or she is, wins the election and Trump steps aside, graciously or otherwise. Republicans have already shown just how far they are willing to go. Our democracy hangs by a thread.


Trump Is Going to Cheat

How should Democrats fight against a president who has no moral or legal compass?

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/02/hes-going-cheat/606643/

...
He must win back the suburban voters who handed the House of Representatives to Democrats in 2018—an especially difficult task now that he’s released an Achilles’ heel of a budget that would cut Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, food stamps, and a host of other popular programs.

But—and this must be said out loud—the facts may not matter.

If past is prologue, Trump will say absolutely anything necessary to attract and maintain support, including patent untruths.

...

If past is prologue, Trump will say absolutely anything necessary to attract and maintain support, including patent untruths. His pathological lying has been well documented and yet never ceases to stun.
Should the lying and cheating fail—should the Democrat manage to win the 2020 election—Trump will have one more trick up his sleeve. Before the 2016 election, he suggested that he might not accept a defeat. So who’s to say that he will accept one in 2020? You don’t have to squint hard to see the clues: He retweeted Jerry Falwell Jr.’s suggestion that he ought to have two years added to his term and “joked” about staying in office longer than eight years. If he loses in November, the litigious showman might claim that the election was rigged against him and theatrically contest the results in court.

...

Think civil war is impossible?
Think again.

Did someone say "civil war"?


What is the 'boogaloo?' How online calls for a violent uprising are hitting the mainstream

The movement says it wants a second Civil War targeting liberal political opponents and law enforcement.

https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/social-media/what-boogaloo-how-online-calls-violent-uprising-are-getting-organized-n1138461

IMO, there are far fewer members who will actually heed the call to violence than there are actual ones who will follow through. Those who sit in their Mom's basement and cheer it on and similar nutjobs. For all we know, many members are actually bots that the movement uses to inflate their numbers and rally others.

I've been stating that possibility for a few years.

What Would Happen If Trump Refused to Leave Office?

A peaceful transfer of power is necessary for American democracy to survive.

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/02/what-if-he-wont-go/606259/

Seems to me that as soon as a new president is sworn in the ex-president is technically trespassing.

Not only is he trespassing, he's powerless. If he tried to stay in power, his former SS guards would grab him by the pants and collar and give im the bum's rush right out the front gates.

Good point.

I am not sure that assumption is entirely safe.

let's hope we don't have to test it.

I think it needs to be tested.