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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThe Winter of Our Discontent: projecting the 78 harrowing days after the election.
Maybe you think that way about the past three years: the corrupt self-dealing, the fusillade of lies and ignorance, the corporate handover of the regulatory state, the authoritarian repression. The oncoming election may provide you with a crack of hope for America to reverse what many consider a grave mistake.
But while Election Day will signal the end of a campaign, its not the end of Donald Trumps term in office.
The 78 days from November 3 to January 20, known as the transition, have kept me awake at night since I started reporting out this article. The coming interregnum is likely to be one of the most politically, economically, and socially fraught periods in American history, one that could set the trajectory for the nations future. If you think things cannot possibly get worse, trust me, they can, Michelle Obama counseled in her Democratic Convention speech. Trust me on that as well; they will, immediately after the election.
But Trump critics strongly suspect his attention wont be focused on putting Biden in a position to succeed. I cant imagine them cooperating at all, said Mike Lux, a veteran of both the Clinton and Obama transitions. Trump has violated pretty much every unwritten norm out there.
The veil of ignorance could allow Trump and his top officials to burrow political appointees into career service positions, keeping them in place after the transition. They will contaminate the administration throughout unless you ferret them out, said Wilkerson. They will implement the previous administrations policies in your administration.
Further acts of sabotage range from petty office pranksmessing with computers or phonesto far more consequential options. Trump could authorize bombings or guerrilla actions abroad before the inauguration, similar to George H.W. Bush sending Marines to Somalia in December 1992. He could turn in a final census report early, cementing congressional apportionment data in a way that could undercount communities of color. He could just destroy evidence that might be used in future investigations against him. And he could issue executive orders and change agency regulations, which could all be reversed, but would take time and effort early in Bidens term.
An uncooperative transition would of course come at the worst possible time. The economy remains severely depressed from the fallout of the pandemic and the continued inability to allow large numbers of people to congregate.T here remains no agreement on another coronavirus relief package, and Trumps executive actions are already proving next to meaningless. Even if a deal is reached, most of the relief in the current bills extends only to December, leaving weeks with Trump as president and no fiscal support for the economy in place. The combination of economic pain, an uncertain election, and public-health challenges could roil markets, while mass evictions and foreclosures ensue.
https://prospect.org/politics/winter-of-our-discontent-trump-2020-election/
Siwsan
(26,241 posts)I'm already stocked up on non-perishables. When I finish voting I'll stop and pick up perishables - organic milk and eggs, cheese, some fruit and veg. Then I'm not leaving the house unless it's absolutely critical.
My big fear is how his cult will react to his defeat. I live in a VERY Blue part of my county, which might just make it a bigger target.
Hopefully I'm going to be over prepared, and overly concerned.
NCjack
(10,279 posts)lastlib
(23,133 posts)November 4th, House needs to subpoena EVERY scrap of paper in the executive branch, every electronic gadget in the government, and every possible witness to tRump's criminal activity. Send in the Marshals to enforce it.
crickets
(25,950 posts)No messing around, no stalling, no politely asking. JUST DO IT.
CaliforniaPeggy
(149,514 posts)I am pleased that Biden has prepared for a contested outcome with his Legal War Room. I hope this will work as intended!
Thekaspervote
(32,689 posts)We know who this guy is, Biden has prepared.
What more is there to do??!!
lastlib
(23,133 posts)Jeebo
(2,019 posts)Even the nightmare scenario this article describes will be a GOOD thing in the long run, just "growing pains" so to speak. Compare it to the alternative scenario of a "win" and another four years for the orange con man, which truly is too horrible to contemplate.
-- Ron
Backseat Driver
(4,377 posts)We tend to forget the rest of Richard's malevolent soliloquy espousing himself as a villain matched in self-knowledge of a lack of sexual prowess. Yet the play does go on to describe to his villainous manipulations to attain that kingly crown and enjoin a little help from his loyal friends.
But be careful about what projects from the windmills of our own (fearful) minds! Giving them words or voice can give the truly malevolent loyalist(s) the exact actions a "got your back" silent student of The Prince could surely set in motion when the king himself becomes too unhinged.
It's true that there's no sunshine til he's gone, but now there's this editorial! Can we hope our candidate and his new staff and party leaders can be fore-armed after such a forewarning?