Is the US ripe for a coup?

[Thumpalumpacus]

The scenario is not realistic at all. Loyalty in the ranks is so rarely so personal that it would lead to treason.

There's an impeachment process, and it's likely to happen. Though maybe not before they get him to sign off on all the tax cuts and stuff they want him to do.

The 25th Amendment allows for his removal if found unable to discharge his duties, too.

[Chad32]

There's an impeachment process, and it's likely to happen. Though maybe not before they get him to sign off on all the tax cuts and stuff they want him to do.

You actually think it's likely? I sure don't.

From everything I've seen, he's been screwing up, alienating the establishment, and causing bad PR. So yeah, I think it's likely when Congress and the donors get what they want, they'll get rid of him.

[vorlon13]

I think a rather more plausible end game for 45 would be to echo the Armin Tamzarian storyline from The Simpsons.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

You actually think it's likely? I sure don't.

From everything I've seen, he's been screwing up, alienating the establishment, and causing bad PR. So yeah, I think it's likely when Congress and the donors get what they want, they'll get rid of him.

Impeachment, the legal process, is far more likely than a coup, the illegal process.

[Minimalist]

There's an impeachment process, and it's likely to happen. Though maybe not before they get him to sign off on all the tax cuts and stuff they want him to do.

Then they really ought to produce a bill that will blow a gaping hole in the federal budget and let the Orange Turd sign it.

[Jehanne]

From everything I've seen, he's been screwing up, alienating the establishment, and causing bad PR. So yeah, I think it's likely when Congress and the donors get what they want, they'll get rid of him.

Impeachment, the legal process, is far more likely than a coup, the illegal process.

Agreed, but if Trump went off the Deep End and ordered a first strike and the Armed Forces Generals refused that order, then what?  He'd fire them to be sure, but I suspect that they would not leave their posts willingly.

[Thumpalumpacus]

He'd fire them to be sure, but I suspect that they would not leave their posts willingly.

They wouldn't have any say in the matter, but even if they did have a say, I very highly doubt they'd mount a coup. These are men and women who have sworn their lives to this country. The idea that they'd knowingly tear it apart -- because a coup would most certainly have that result -- is highly implausible.

The concept of civilian control of the military is deeply ingrained in American military doctrine throughout the ranks, as well.

Between those two factors, a military coup, while not entirely impossible, is so implausible that it doesn't merit serious consideration.

[Brian37]

Here's how I imagine it.  Trump gives an order to the Generals of the Armed Forces who refuse to obey it; he fires one or more of them but they refuse to resign.  Soon after, some federal court issues an arrest warrant for the disobedient officer, but when the FBI tries to serve the warrant, they are fired upon by the soldiers loyal to that General.  After that, all three generals of the Armed Forces declare their loyalty to each other and most of the troops under their commands follow them.  They then setup a US military command that is independent of civilian control, and any police agency that dares to cross them is fired upon using the massive firepower of the United States military.  Soon after the civilian authorities back down, as they are massively outgunned.  The three generals then declare limited martial law, exempting them and their men (and women) from the control of the US government.  They fire upon anyone foolish enough to cross them.

Ripe for impeachment sure, coop would imply a civil war, and scrapping completely of the entire constitution, I don't see that happening. I don't think most on the left or right want to scrap our constitution.

You have more chance at a civil war if the Moron gets prison time or dies from natural causes in office, his supporters would go ape shit if either of those happened.

I think you have more to worry about with 45 leading to a one party state, but it ultimately would not be him by himself. It would be if more and more politicians adapt his vile brand of politics.

I don't think the left needs right now, to talk like their far right tea party bible thumping nuts. I think there are still checks on power. I would say we have more in the near future to worry about that orange fuckface starting WW3.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Impeachment, the legal process, is far more likely than a coup, the illegal process.

Agreed, but if Trump went off the Deep End and ordered a first strike and the Armed Forces Generals refused that order, then what?  He'd fire them to be sure, but I suspect that they would not leave their posts willingly.

He can order a first strike, but he can't order a first strike out of the blue. There are protocols in place for "incapacitated" POTUS.

[Ravenshire]

He'd fire them to be sure, but I suspect that they would not leave their posts willingly.

They wouldn't have any say in the matter, but even if they did have a say, I very highly doubt they'd mount a coup. These are men and women who have sworn their lives to this country. The idea that they'd knowingly tear it apart -- because a coup would most certainly have that result -- is highly implausible.

The concept of civilian control of the military is deeply ingrained in American military doctrine throughout the ranks, as well.

Between those two factors, a military coup, while not entirely impossible, is so implausible that it doesn't merit serious consideration.

While I can see some scenarios leading to a military coup as possible, each is as unlikely as the last. As Thump pointed out, loyalties in the military do not lend themselves to treason. As a former serviceman, I can say the greatest loyalties I observed, and felt in myself, were to my brothers in arms. Not to some general in a cushy, air conditioned Washington office. The most respected man in an Army grunt's life us usually his squad leader, or maybe his platoon leader. For any coup to be successful, those Washington bureaucrat generals would have to sway the loyalties of the majority of all those squad and platoon leaders to have even the slightest chance of success.