Desperation is setting in, and many of Trump's minions are discussing resorting to extreme measures such as secession or civil war. How can these people look themselves in the mirror, engaging in this madness knowing that we are in the midst of a deadly pandemic and economic turmoil? Thousands of Americans are dying on a daily basis, but all the lame-duck president can do is wallow in self-pity and exhort his base toward sedition. Joe Biden is going to take the oath of office on January 20, and chances are there is more smoke than fire to the threats being made. But, what Trump and company have done is render it impossible for Mr. Biden to unify the country and govern with majority support. The very fact that millions of people are this angry and engulfed in hatred toward the other side does not bode well for whatever slim chance America has of coming together to defeat COVID. Chaos will remain the order of the day, and Joe Biden has an extraordinary challenge on his hands. And Trump will continue to stir the pot from the sidelines, acting as a shadow president of sorts and keeping a firm grip on the Republican Party and its voters. He, and they, remain the greatest obstacle to law and order in these United States, and at some point something is going to have to give. Via the Washington Post -
As they have several times since the election, Trump supporters – including members of the Proud Boys, the far-right, male-only, extremist group that Trump struggled to denounce during a presidential debate with Biden – gathered on Saturday in Washington, with with boldface names from Trump world like Roger Stone and retired Gen. Michael Flynn rallying the crowd.
“Supreme Court’s decision, well, you know, don’t get bent out of shape because there are still avenues that are being, avenues to approach and we are attacking the wall,” Flynn said to flag-waving protesters gathered outside the Supreme Court.
But exactly what those “avenues” are was not spelled out. Electors will meet in each state on Monday to cast their votes. Biden won enough states to give him 306 electoral college votes to Trump’s 232, and he leads the national popular vote by more than 7 million.
Trump continues to refuse to concede, instead perpetuating falsehoods and baseless claims that widespread voter fraud rigged the election. But there has been no evidence presented of widespread fraud in the election, and last week Attorney General William Barr said the Justice Department has found no evidence that would overturn Biden’s victory. Courts at every level have rejected dozens of lawsuits filed by the Trump campaign and his allies, citing this lack of evidence.
The president has one last stand – the Jan. 6 vote in a joint session of Congress to count the electoral votes. Already at least one Republican lawmaker, Rep. Mo Brooks of Alabama, has said he’ll challenge the electoral vote that day. If just one U.S. senator joins him, the Electoral Count Act of 1877 will force every member of Congress to vote on whether to accept the results in the states where Republican baselessly decry voter fraud.
It’s unclear whether Brooks will find significant support for the move, which would primarily be theater by making every Republican take a side. Already Trump has seen astonishing support for his efforts to overturn the election – 126 House Republicans, including Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., signed an amicus brief backing the Texas lawsuit.
“There’s still evidence that needs to be considered. The House may be the last forum available for us to present our arguments,” tweeted Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., one of Trump’s most faithful acolytes.
More perspective from Paul Waldman - Hatred of liberals is all that is left of conservatism
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