A short time into Donald Trump’s first term as president, comedian Bill Maher warned that Trump was likely to cling to the office even if he lost in the following elections. Maher, who is also a TV host, wanted Congress to consider the danger and plan for that eventuality.
Trump became the 45th US President in January 2017, following the November 2016 presidential election. Then in the 2020 election, he lost to Joe Biden.
Trump attempted to cling to power after losing to Biden
However, Bill Maher’s prediction came to pass. Trump refused to acknowledge the election results and proceeded to instigate an invasion of the Capitol in January 2021.
He wanted to prevent Congress from certifying Joe Biden’s win, which would give Biden the go-ahead to take the oath of office two weeks later. Eight people are reported to have died during the chaos, and many more were left traumatized.
The Capitol is the building where the US Congress meets – essentially, where the members of the Senate and the House of Representatives meet.
What Happens in January 2029 if Trump Refuses to Vacate Office?
As Europe worries about the potential extent of Vladimir Putin’s attacks in a bid to extend the Russian territory, the US has a potentially dangerous situation at home. Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed admiration for world dictators, including China’s president, Xi Jinping, and North Korea’s president, Kim Jong Un.
When Bill Maher expressed his reservations that Trump would behave like a gentleman from the civilized world, many took him lightly. Others considered him an alarmist. Yet the aggressive acts of January 2021 vindicated him. The question remains:
- What is the US going to do if Trump refuses to vacate the Oval Office after his two-term limit lapses?
- Will the situation, God forbid, give rise to chaos and confusion and create grounds for civil war?
- Who in the world might be keeping vigil in case there is room to take advantage of US vulnerability? That is, politically, economically, or militarily?
- North Korea? Russia? China?
The point is, just as happened at the end of Trump’s first presidential term, he might refuse to relinquish the reins of power at the end of his second term as the 47th US president. What is the USA going to do should that happen?
The first time around, Americans were shocked, mortified, and worried. If it happens again, they would be more than worried and anxious. So, the US had better not bury its head in the sand. Instead, it should begin exploring its options, asking questions that address an unprecedented situation. If Trump’s “strong man” bug bites him:
- What position are the Republicans going to take, overtly or covertly?
- How is Congress going to handle the situation?
- What is the average American going to do?
Many African countries contend with similar questions at the end of each presidential term, and apparently, in this new world, it is time for the US to join the bandwagon.