Trump's Response to Electoral Defeat May Fuel Further Corruption
The piece argues that Trump's reaction to expected midterm losses will likely lead to more corruption and lawlessness, not accountability. It cites examples like the Greenland deal, press bans, and inviting Putin to the G20. The author suggests that a 'bloodbath' at the polls will only embolden Trump's worst instincts.
The administration's recent actions include a Greenland agreement that largely restates a 1951 pact, explicitly barring non-NATO military presence. The White House also imposed a press ban, and the president gave Xi Jinping a lavish welcome despite China's poor press-freedom record. An invitation to Putin for a G20 summit at a Trump resort was also issued.
Meanwhile, Republican dissent is emerging, with some Senate candidates demanding an immediate end to the Iran war and Senator Wicker criticizing the Xi visit's pomp. As midterm forecasts worsen, with mortgage rates above 7%, The Atlantic reports that Trump's associates, including Peter Ticktin and Wayne Allyn Root, are urging martial law or a national-security emergency around Election Day. Ticktin previously persuaded Trump to pardon Tina Peters.
The potential for a contested or chaotic post-election period could significantly undermine public confidence in democratic processes. If Trump heeds advisors urging martial law or emergency declarations, it may provoke widespread civil unrest and deepen partisan divides. Voters and institutions alike could face heightened uncertainty, affecting governance and international credibility. The normalization of such tactics may also embolden other politicians to challenge electoral outcomes, reshaping the political landscape for years.