Would you support a military coup if Trump wins the election?

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Just image the forum's meltdown if the topic was "Would you support a military coup if Hillary wins the election?"

[Seriously?]

Just image the forum's meltdown if the topic was "Would you support a military coup if Hillary wins the election?"

[Deblano]

Just image the forum's meltdown if the topic was "Would you support a military coup if Hillary wins the election?"

"Well, it will help us get to a TRUE socialist utopia"

[DrScholl]

I'm referring to a military coup in an emergency situation. If Trump is going off the rails and bombing places left and right, then attempts to use nuclear weapons and a Republican controlled Congress refuses to stop him, then I would hope that the military would step in to temporarily stabilize things and call for fresh elections. Again, Trump is unstable and there is no way of spinning it.

[Seriously?]

I'm referring to a military coup in an emergency situation. If Trump is going off the rails and bombing places left and right, then attempts to use nuclear weapons and a Republican controlled Congress refuses to stop him, then I would hope that the military would step in to temporarily stabilize things and call for fresh elections. Again, Trump is unstable and there is no way of spinning it.

Ummm... No. Point me to the provision of the Constitution that allows a third-world style military takeover of the U.S. Government...

If Congress and the President are on board, as they are in your hypo, the only way to stop it is via the Supreme Court (unlikely as they'll see it as a political question and under POTUS' powers as commander-in-chief) or the ballot box in the next election cycle.

[DrScholl]

It's all a moot point anyway, since Trump isn't going to win.

[HAnnA MArin County]

By military coup, do you mean like those RWNJs did in Nevada and Oregon? If so, I vote no.

Trump isn't gonna win anyway so this whole thread is irrelevant.

[🦀🎂🦀🎂]

Devolve back into UK

Make America Great Britain Again

We don't want you, we have our own problems to deal with.

[Badger]

What if the military refused his wishes after he asks for the nuclear football following a twitter war? Would that be considered a coup? In a situation like that, there wouldn't be time for congress to intervene and impeach him, and the military might have to take action on it's own to save humanity. That being said, he should be impeached via the proper channels after the military refuses his orders.

I'm not sure if that would be classified as a traditional coup, but you make a good point about how Congress may be too slow to save humanity. I'm guessing that is why so many people voted yes on this poll. 

FWIW, this is exactly the scenario i envisioned in my answer, possibly taking the them into temporary custody. The only way this should EVER be even REMOTELY considered is if the president were to about to imminently take unilateral nuclear action without recognizable threat and where there's no time for Congressional intervention, and IMMEDIATELY thereafter the matter was turned back over to the Veep and/or Congress to sort out.

FWI ALSO W, this rule would apply to any president, not just Trump.

[Deblano]

What if the military refused his wishes after he asks for the nuclear football following a twitter war? Would that be considered a coup? In a situation like that, there wouldn't be time for congress to intervene and impeach him, and the military might have to take action on it's own to save humanity. That being said, he should be impeached via the proper channels after the military refuses his orders.

I'm not sure if that would be classified as a traditional coup, but you make a good point about how Congress may be too slow to save humanity. I'm guessing that is why so many people voted yes on this poll. 

FWIW, this is exactly the scenario i envisioned in my answer, possibly taking the them into temporary custody. The only way this should EVER be even REMOTELY considered is if the president were to about to imminently take unilateral nuclear action without recognizable threat and where there's no time for Congressional intervention, and IMMEDIATELY thereafter the matter was turned back over to the Veep and/or Congress to sort out.

FWI ALSO W, this rule would apply to any president, not just Trump.

Same here. I kinda regret voting Yes.

[cMac36]

Not unless he was literally about to launch nukes or the like.

If he launches nukes period or if he launches nukes rashly?

Where is the line drawn?  How could a first-strike with nuclear weapons be rational, not rash, etc.?

This is why I support unilateral nuclear disarmament.  There is no rational first strike.

[Goldwater]

No, but if a private citizen decides to assassinate him I'd be okay with that.

WTF? Condoning an assassination of a duly-elected sitting President in this hypo? That's even low by Atlas standards.

Isn't it illegal as well?

Enjoy the FBI knocking on your door for a little chat....

How is assassination morally any worse than a military coup? Not I think I think Trump would be bad enough to justify either one.

[🦀🎂🦀🎂]

No, but if a private citizen decides to assassinate him I'd be okay with that.

I...don't...even.

Calling for assassinating a potential president on an Internet forum? Are you nuts?

Isn't this the fantasy of some American gun owners? They all say that they keep their guns to overthrow a tyrant in power?

[ag]

No. I would never support a coup against a duly elected government. US has a perfectly legal system for deposing a deviant president. It is called impeachment by the House and trial by the Senate and has properly defined reasons for being used. If Trump were to do something justifying such an action, I would support it. But it would have to be a crime he actually committed: mere incompetence or imbecility is not grounds for such an action.

[RI]

Not unless he was literally about to launch nukes or the like.

If he launches nukes period or if he launches nukes rashly?

Where is the line drawn?  How could a first-strike with nuclear weapons be rational, not rash, etc.?

This is why I support unilateral nuclear disarmament.  There is no rational first strike.

Tactical nuking of military installations from the outset could be very rational in some wars.

[Deblano]

No, but if a private citizen decides to assassinate him I'd be okay with that.

I...don't...even.

Calling for assassinating a potential president on an Internet forum? Are you nuts?

Isn't this the fantasy of some American gun owners? They all say that they keep their guns to overthrow a tyrant in power?

Well, as a pro-gun fellow, those gun owners can live in their fantasy land.

They have guns, while the military has tanks, planes, and drones.

Good luck with that fight

[egalitt]

Any coup would be a disaster. If Trump proves completely unable to run the country he will face the destiny of JFK.

[cMac36]

Not unless he was literally about to launch nukes or the like.

If he launches nukes period or if he launches nukes rashly?

Where is the line drawn?  How could a first-strike with nuclear weapons be rational, not rash, etc.?

This is why I support unilateral nuclear disarmament.  There is no rational first strike.

Tactical nuking of military installations from the outset could be very rational in some wars.

"All my means are sane, my motive and my object mad." -MobyDick+

[cMac36]

Yes. He has no business being President.

I don't think you understand how a democracy is supposed to work.

This isn't about democracy, it's about keeping the country from being thrown into chaos.

That is the poorest argument one can ever make. Democracy and freedom is the first and foremost priority of any man or woman.

There are no highflung ideas like democracy and freedom without the means of subsistence behind it.  If I am hungry, eating will be my foremost priority

[IceSpear]

Only if the president tried to assume dictatorial powers. And I don't mean "bush/obama = leterally hitler", but for real.

[Lief 🗽]

Just image the forum's meltdown if the topic was "Would you support a military coup if Hillary wins the election?"

jesus, when did you become such a moderate hero squish? Clinton doesn't eagerly muse about using nuclear weapons or betraying our allies for refusing to pay their shakedown money.

[Meclazine for Israel]

Lovin' the sig Lief.

[Joe Biden is your president. Deal with it.]

No, Trump is not Ted Cruz.

Lmao!!!

[Intell]

This is utterly retarded. Military Coups are horrible, and used to serve the purpose of more wars, or dictatorships, in a majority of cases. The hate for trump, by certain people, makes me glee in joy, and even more support him, and you guys call trump the fascist.