Veteran Richard Saul carries a sign that reads "Dump Trump 86 Yr Old Vet Says" as a member of the Oklahoma National Guard stands nearby ahead of a U.S. President Donald Trump campaign rally at the BOK Center on June 20, 2020 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Get Ready to Resist the Trump Coup Attempt
He's made it clear for months that he intends to reject any outcome that does not result in his re-election.
When Donald Trump recently refused to commit to a peaceful transfer of power and floated the idea that we might "get rid of the ballots," many people were shocked and frightened.
It was the clearest signal yet that Trump might seek to remain in power, regardless of what happens in the upcoming election.
But, in fact, Trump has been telegraphing for months -- as polls have consistently shown him lagging behind Democratic rival Joe Biden -- that he intends to reject any outcome that does not result in his re-election.
It's even pretty clear how he intends to pull it off -- by claiming that only those votes cast in person on Nov. 3 should count, while absentee ballots cast by mail should be disregarded. That's why he has repeatedly insisted, without a shred of evidence, that mail ballots are fraudulent.
Biden's supporters are expected to cast a larger percentage of their ballots by mail, due to their concerns about COVID-19. That means Trump could be ahead on Election Day but lose after all the votes are counted.
If Trump does refuse to step down under these circumstances, the people of this country must be ready to act. It's not a matter of left or right, but of defending our fragile democracy from collapsing into an outright dictatorship.
Trump's own bout with COVID-19 seems to have done nothing to tamp down his impulsiveness. He recklessly took a closed-window joy ride outside his hospital room, putting his Secret Service staff at risk. Then, once out of the hospital, he tweeted "don't be afraid of COVID" and paraded in front of the White House without a mask.
Refusing to leave office despite losing an election is what scholars call an "autogolpe," or self-coup. While an autogolpe has never happened in the United States, we can learn critical lessons on how to thwart an illegitimate attempt to hold onto power from the experience of others.
A 2017 academic study by University of San Francisco professor Stephen Zunes examined a dozen coups -- eight of which were thwarted through widespread civil resistance. It offers important insights for this moment.
First, numbers matter. We will likely need a mass movement larger -- and more diverse -- than any other in U.S. history. Black Lives Matter, which brought out millions of protesters, laid a foundation that must be built upon.
Energy must be directed to critical areas. Those responsible for ensuring that all votes are fairly counted must be strategically targeted. They can be called upon to respect their oath of office and uphold the Constitution.
This mobilization must be disruptive of "business as usual." Tactics can include sit-ins, blockades of roads and buildings and a widespread general strike that shuts down the economy. Everyone can do something.
But disruption does not mean violence. To the contrary, the movement must be grounded in deep understanding of the strategic necessity of nonviolence to win.
If the conflict devolves into street fighting and property destruction, more people will gravitate toward Trump's calls for "law and order." It will also lead to heavier repression by police, with less likelihood that their violence will backfire.
Nonviolent discipline doesn't just happen. Historically, it is often the result of serious training. A new group of veteran trainers called Choose Democracy is thankfully doing just that. They have created a pledge of resistance (see choosedemocracy.us) and are offering online training to anyone interested in preparing to defend this historic election.
This is an "all hands on deck" moment that will test our nation in unprecedented ways. Despite our extreme polarization, protecting the integrity of our elections should be one cause that we all can agree on.
We are at a crossroads
This country and this world are at a monumental crossroads. US voters have an opportunity to beat back the forces of fascism and confront the billionaires who are rigging the economy, our media system, and our democracy, making it increasingly impossible for ordinary people to get by. We’re not just talking about the election. We’re talking about what must be done once these fascist elements are vanquished from power. We need a bolder set of solutions than what either major party has so far been willing to offer and a working-class movement ready to fight like hell for it. Trump didn't emerge from nowhere. The conditions that fueled MAGA authoritarianism were created by decades of radical neoliberal economic policies and a corrupt political system dominated by corporate interests. They slashed taxes on the super-rich, promising that the benefits would trickle down. They said giveaways to the corporate titans would make life more affordable for the rest of us. It was all bullshit. And when a bitter, betrayed populace searches for someone to blame, right-wing demagogues have little trouble finding scapegoats. People know when they're being lied to, but you won't hear any of this from the corporate media. Only independent journalism—powered and funded by people who believe in building a better world—can deliver truly trustworthy daily news. Our Fall Campaign is underway, and we need your help. To power our newsroom through the rest of the year, we need to raise $125,000 by midnight on October 31. So if you share our vision, please contribute whatever you can to sustain our work. |
When Donald Trump recently refused to commit to a peaceful transfer of power and floated the idea that we might "get rid of the ballots," many people were shocked and frightened.
It was the clearest signal yet that Trump might seek to remain in power, regardless of what happens in the upcoming election.
But, in fact, Trump has been telegraphing for months -- as polls have consistently shown him lagging behind Democratic rival Joe Biden -- that he intends to reject any outcome that does not result in his re-election.
It's even pretty clear how he intends to pull it off -- by claiming that only those votes cast in person on Nov. 3 should count, while absentee ballots cast by mail should be disregarded. That's why he has repeatedly insisted, without a shred of evidence, that mail ballots are fraudulent.
Biden's supporters are expected to cast a larger percentage of their ballots by mail, due to their concerns about COVID-19. That means Trump could be ahead on Election Day but lose after all the votes are counted.
If Trump does refuse to step down under these circumstances, the people of this country must be ready to act. It's not a matter of left or right, but of defending our fragile democracy from collapsing into an outright dictatorship.
Trump's own bout with COVID-19 seems to have done nothing to tamp down his impulsiveness. He recklessly took a closed-window joy ride outside his hospital room, putting his Secret Service staff at risk. Then, once out of the hospital, he tweeted "don't be afraid of COVID" and paraded in front of the White House without a mask.
Refusing to leave office despite losing an election is what scholars call an "autogolpe," or self-coup. While an autogolpe has never happened in the United States, we can learn critical lessons on how to thwart an illegitimate attempt to hold onto power from the experience of others.
A 2017 academic study by University of San Francisco professor Stephen Zunes examined a dozen coups -- eight of which were thwarted through widespread civil resistance. It offers important insights for this moment.
First, numbers matter. We will likely need a mass movement larger -- and more diverse -- than any other in U.S. history. Black Lives Matter, which brought out millions of protesters, laid a foundation that must be built upon.
Energy must be directed to critical areas. Those responsible for ensuring that all votes are fairly counted must be strategically targeted. They can be called upon to respect their oath of office and uphold the Constitution.
This mobilization must be disruptive of "business as usual." Tactics can include sit-ins, blockades of roads and buildings and a widespread general strike that shuts down the economy. Everyone can do something.
But disruption does not mean violence. To the contrary, the movement must be grounded in deep understanding of the strategic necessity of nonviolence to win.
If the conflict devolves into street fighting and property destruction, more people will gravitate toward Trump's calls for "law and order." It will also lead to heavier repression by police, with less likelihood that their violence will backfire.
Nonviolent discipline doesn't just happen. Historically, it is often the result of serious training. A new group of veteran trainers called Choose Democracy is thankfully doing just that. They have created a pledge of resistance (see choosedemocracy.us) and are offering online training to anyone interested in preparing to defend this historic election.
This is an "all hands on deck" moment that will test our nation in unprecedented ways. Despite our extreme polarization, protecting the integrity of our elections should be one cause that we all can agree on.
When Donald Trump recently refused to commit to a peaceful transfer of power and floated the idea that we might "get rid of the ballots," many people were shocked and frightened.
It was the clearest signal yet that Trump might seek to remain in power, regardless of what happens in the upcoming election.
But, in fact, Trump has been telegraphing for months -- as polls have consistently shown him lagging behind Democratic rival Joe Biden -- that he intends to reject any outcome that does not result in his re-election.
It's even pretty clear how he intends to pull it off -- by claiming that only those votes cast in person on Nov. 3 should count, while absentee ballots cast by mail should be disregarded. That's why he has repeatedly insisted, without a shred of evidence, that mail ballots are fraudulent.
Biden's supporters are expected to cast a larger percentage of their ballots by mail, due to their concerns about COVID-19. That means Trump could be ahead on Election Day but lose after all the votes are counted.
If Trump does refuse to step down under these circumstances, the people of this country must be ready to act. It's not a matter of left or right, but of defending our fragile democracy from collapsing into an outright dictatorship.
Trump's own bout with COVID-19 seems to have done nothing to tamp down his impulsiveness. He recklessly took a closed-window joy ride outside his hospital room, putting his Secret Service staff at risk. Then, once out of the hospital, he tweeted "don't be afraid of COVID" and paraded in front of the White House without a mask.
Refusing to leave office despite losing an election is what scholars call an "autogolpe," or self-coup. While an autogolpe has never happened in the United States, we can learn critical lessons on how to thwart an illegitimate attempt to hold onto power from the experience of others.
A 2017 academic study by University of San Francisco professor Stephen Zunes examined a dozen coups -- eight of which were thwarted through widespread civil resistance. It offers important insights for this moment.
First, numbers matter. We will likely need a mass movement larger -- and more diverse -- than any other in U.S. history. Black Lives Matter, which brought out millions of protesters, laid a foundation that must be built upon.
Energy must be directed to critical areas. Those responsible for ensuring that all votes are fairly counted must be strategically targeted. They can be called upon to respect their oath of office and uphold the Constitution.
This mobilization must be disruptive of "business as usual." Tactics can include sit-ins, blockades of roads and buildings and a widespread general strike that shuts down the economy. Everyone can do something.
But disruption does not mean violence. To the contrary, the movement must be grounded in deep understanding of the strategic necessity of nonviolence to win.
If the conflict devolves into street fighting and property destruction, more people will gravitate toward Trump's calls for "law and order." It will also lead to heavier repression by police, with less likelihood that their violence will backfire.
Nonviolent discipline doesn't just happen. Historically, it is often the result of serious training. A new group of veteran trainers called Choose Democracy is thankfully doing just that. They have created a pledge of resistance (see choosedemocracy.us) and are offering online training to anyone interested in preparing to defend this historic election.
This is an "all hands on deck" moment that will test our nation in unprecedented ways. Despite our extreme polarization, protecting the integrity of our elections should be one cause that we all can agree on.