After the first coup attempt to seize control of the U.S. presidency characterized by calls to “Resist!” (obviouisly the will of the people) that ran from 2016 to early 2019 failed, a second and more virulent attempt began on 25 September 2019 even though President Trump, like him or hate him, has committed no wrongdoing.

Alarmingly conditions are ideal that it may succeed unless elected leaders rediscover patriotism and courage to resist it since:

1. The Unites States is so divided, the “most significant barrier to a coup d’état” has been eliminated such that half the population would welcome and celebrate such an “un-American” development. Historian Andrew Janos’ premise – “A coup d’état in the United States would be too fantastic to contemplate… because the bulk of the people are strongly attached to the prevailing political system and would rise in defense of a political leader even though they might not like him” – is no longer valid.[1]

2. “Mainstream” media has lost its objectivity and now indoctrinates the population with the views and ideology of the coup plotters (un-elected deep state bureaucrats and their congressional pawns) to facilitate the president’s overthrow and reduce potential protest and resistance.

3. The second amendment is under attack to eliminate the ability to resist coups and totalitarianism and efforts are being made to create an Internet “kill switch” to ensure a total blackout of timely objective information that might be necessary to defend freedom.

Furthermore, the United States has already crossed the threshold where the constitution is no longer respected with attempts by many to distort and manipulate it to address their ideological objectives, people are subjected to verbal and physical attacks because of their opinions and beliefs, life itself or at least some lives do not matter and a misguided “cultural revolution” is underway that seeks to purge the U.S. of her history and landmarks and eliminate fundamental values sacrosanct to the American way. The words of Samuel Adams, a Founding Father and signer of the Declaration of Independence are and ought to be as true now as they were back in 1776 – “The people alone have an incontestable, unalienable, and indefeasible right to institute government and to reform, alter, or totally change… it” – not the un-elected deep state, politicians and/or other coup plotters. And this change, to protect and preserve the U.S. constitution, which is the sworn duty of every elected official, must be made through the ballot box. Anything else is a dangerous dissolution of constitutional law and per Samuel Adams (1722-1803), such a “dissolution of principles… will more surely overthrow the liberties of America than the whole force of the common enemy” even if one cannot see this. With 2020 only a year away, I can only hope and pray that prudence will prevail and the people, people alone will determine who runs the American government. And remember, if one coup succeeds, it will make it easier for another one and so on.
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[1] Glen Harlan Reynolds. Of Coups and the Constitution. 28 September 2019. 133, 137.