When Americans go to the polls in November, they’ll choose a president — and depending on the outcome of the election, a repeat of the 2020s could begin. after election chaos. We need to face that fact now and realize that we could be plunged into another national trauma within about six months.
Some, like Professor Rosa Brooks of Georgetown. I’m not too worried about what will happen in 2024 More so than what happened in 2020 when Donald Trump was in the White House. As Brooks says, “Incumbents have a level of coercive power that candidates[like Trump]don’t have.”
This year, Brooks predicts, “With Biden still in office, the FBI and Department of Homeland Security will be successful in getting all political violence out of control.”
or as analysis The Washington Post said that if Trump loses, “he will not be the sitting president he was in 2020.”, discuss the federal governmentSeizure of voting machinesIt is reported that there was a pleasant conversation aboutstrict martial lawHe used the president’s megaphone to persuade his supporters that rampant voter fraud cost him a second term. ”
But even the Post acknowledged that Trump “will continue to have an unusually strong bond with his supporters.” Some of the 2021 rioters said he motivated them, raising questions about what he would do if he lost in 2024. ”
Indeed, Trump has left little to the imagination about what he will do after the election, and Americans cannot afford to be complacent about what lies ahead.
Mr Trump isIt was revealed 2024 will be a high-stakes election. “This is the final battle. … Either they win or we win.”
he is creepy predicted “If we don’t win this election, I don’t think there will be another election in this country.”
And more than a year ago, Trump refused to commit to accepting the results of the 2024 presidential election. At the time, the former president said he would only accept the 2024 results if he believed no voter fraud had occurred. “If I think it’s an honest election, I’m honored,” he said.
In recent days, Donald Trump has again signaled that he won’t go down without a fight, no matter the outcome of the election.
in Time Inc. interview In the article, published last Tuesday, President Trump rattled off familiar complaints about 2020 while trying to sidestep questions about what he would do if he lost.
“Well, I think we’re going to win. We’re way ahead. I don’t think they can do something as bad as they did last time. It’s really bad. They’ve done so many, so many We did a lot of different things that were completely in violation of what was supposed to be happening. And you know that, and we all know that. I can recite and go through a list as long as my arm. But I don’t think we’re going to get it. I think we’re going to win.”
He then admitted that he might not concede even if he loses. He said: It’s always about the fairness of elections. ”
This is a reminder that in Trump’s world there appear to be only two possible election outcomes. If he wins, the election will be fair. If he loses, it’s cheating.
On May 1st, President Trump will again refused the promise He will accept the results of the 2024 presidential election. “If everything is honest, I will gladly accept the outcome,” Trump said. No change about that. If not, we must fight for our country’s rights. ”
like the new york times Observe, “Mr. Trump’s vow to “fight for our nation’s rights” also echoes his Jan. 6 Ellipse speech, in which he told his supporters, “If we don’t fight like hell, we won’t die.” There is no country.” ‘ and urged his supporters to march on the Capitol. ”
As the Times reports, in recent months President Trump has “questioned the integrity of the fall election, repeating many of the same lies he used to attack the integrity of the 2020 election.” I have repeatedly tried to plant it.” In the months before the vote was cast, Mr. Trump has regularly made unsubstantiated claims that Democrats were likely to commit fraud to win. ”
Trump repeatedly said, called His criminal trial for “election interference” is currently underway in New York. “I’m here instead of not being able to campaign in Pennsylvania or Georgia or many other places. This is very unfair.”
his lawyer reiterated these election interference arguments Similarly, “the special counsel,” he wrote in a brief in his presidential immunity suit to the Supreme Court, “effectively obstructed President Trump by forcing him into a months-long criminal trial at the height of the election campaign.” We are urgently trying to do so.” Don’t campaign against the current president. ”
CNN poll currently underway show “Nearly three-quarters of Americans, 74 percent, believe former President Trump will refuse to concede even if he loses the 2024 election.” The poll notes that this is “a significant increase from a similar survey in 2020.”
President Biden is also expressed similar concerns. Biden said, “A loser, a loser, is never gracious. I think he’s going to do whatever it takes to win. If I win, I think he’s going to fight. No matter the outcome.”
Mr. Biden is clearly right. The question is what he and we will do between now and November.
State election officials and the Biden administration need to develop a plan to ensure the integrity of the 2024 election and protect its results. National news media will play a major role in that effort.
But voters must do their part as well.
A CNN poll found that “an overwhelming majority of survey respondents, about 86 percent, said the losing candidate in the presidential election had an obligation to concede.” That’s a reassuring finding. But that won’t do much good unless those who feel that way turn their commitment into a voting issue.
In the coming months, voters need to make it clear they don’t want a repeat of 2020. And in November, Americans will need to go to the polls and vote against anyone who refuses to fulfill their “obligation to compromise.”
Austin Surratt is the William Nelson Cromwell Professor of Law and Political Science at Amherst College.
