Could Trump start a nuclear war in his last days?

[civilwarbuff]

Milley apparently gave some reassurance that that would not occur:

https://twitter.com/mkraju/status/1347598852463976453
https://twitter.com/jseldin/status/1347600114056048641

Seems as though you are reading something into that that is not there.

 

[civilwarbuff]

stay mad bro

??????????????????????????

 

[mindlight]

I doubt it. I heard he was planning on taking an action a week or two ago (maybe in regards to Iran) and got stared down by the generals because it was dangerous (even thought it was non-nuclear). He did do some replacements but not enough; right now his cred is zippo. He may technically have the authority and capability but he will find it remarkably difficult to execute. 25th amendment is probably being serious considered and more likely than him successfully executing an order that would have international impact.

As you said he has a habit of sacking people who disagree with him. But it seems something has happened behind scenes and now he is eating humble pie. No idea who still has the clout to correct him like that outside his family or maybe Pence.

Invoking the 25th or a new impeachment looks unlikely to succeed and maybe time consuming at a time when the incoming president has more important concerns - Pandemic and economy.

Trump is staring down the barrel of a gun in the aftermath of his presidency, there are a lot of law cases looming. He wants to pardon himself - unlikely, or failing that weave himself so deeply into Republican party that it would be a political act to imprison him. A Civil war in the Republican party is looming and I do not know who will win that,Trumpist populists or the sane wing of the party.

 

[mindlight]

Hm. Apparently Pelosi thinks better safe than sorry, and I'm inclined to agree on the off-chance.

Nancy Pelosi: I've Talked With Joint Chiefs About Stopping Trump From Using Nukes

"Preventing an Unhinged President From Using the Nuclear Codes: This morning, I spoke to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley to discuss available precautions for preventing an unstable president from initiating military hostilities or accessing the launch codes and ordering a nuclear strike. The situation of this unhinged President could not be more dangerous, and we must do everything that we can to protect the American people from his unbalanced assault on our country and our democracy."

Guess Nancy read the thread, good to know and one of the more sensible actions she has taken.

 

[mindlight]

Maybe because there would be an "actual attack".....?

Because the president says so or because the evidence is shared. Chain of command is about following orders not evidence

 

[civilwarbuff]

Because the president says so or because the evidence is shared. Chain of command is about following orders not evidence

It is pretty hard to hide the fact that his country has been attacked.....think 9/11..... Countries/terrorists attack this country seeking media attention.

 

[Petros2015]

It is pretty hard to hide the fact that his country has been attacked.....think 9/11..... Countries/terrorists attack this country seeking media attention.

They sure do. One time, they hit a 7-11...

 

[Basil the Great]

The answer is almost certainly "no". Safeguards are in place, so it is extremely unlikely that the military would obey such a order from the President.

 

[NerdGirl]

Along with millions of others I have been watching the recent invasion of the US Capitol building with some dismay. America is meant to be the Light on the Hill and the Leader of the Free world, but here we have an insurrection that threatened to overthrow the normal Democratic process. This was the first time since 1812 when the British did this and included a Confederate flag being waved inside the building. It is clear that Trump directly incited this invasion and repeated various lies about the election process in doing so.

Is this man still in charge of the nuclear football? What checks and balances still exist to prevent a nuclear war authorised by Trump since he has gutted the command structures and replaced them with Trump loyalists? Should the allies of the USA be worried. I understand America has a 25th Ammendment. Is it practical now to get rid of a man who has clearly demonstrated his unfitness for office.

For goodness' sake, lol.

It is not clear that Trump incited anything. He repeatedly asked people to remain peaceful and to respect law enforcement.

It's like we're living in the Twilight Zone with this rabid rhetoric. The fantasies are always more fun to wring hands over than the reality.

The only people who should be worried are ordinary conservatives and Patriots who are being harassed, silenced, censored, banned from social media, threatened with removal from various financial transaction companies, etc. Simply for supporting the President.

Calm down. You have nothing to worry about.

 

[mmksparbud]

Pelosi says military chief assured her there are safeguards on Trump’s nuclear powers | National Post

Pelosi says military chief assured her there are safeguards on Trump’s nuclear powers
The president’s critics have expressed increasing concern that Trump would direct the Pentagon to carry out a military strike in Iran

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the nation’s top military officer assured her safeguards are in place in case President Donald Trump seeks to initiate a nuclear strike — something he has the sole authority to do.

Pelosi relayed the assurance on a call with Democrats on Friday afternoon, without providing more details, according to a person who heard the briefing. She said she asked because many lawmakers and other Americans had expressed concern.
The comments came after Pelosi said in a letter to fellow Democrats that she spoke to General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, about “available precautions for preventing an unstable president from initiating military hostilities or accessing the launch codes and ordering a nuclear strike.”

“The situation of this unhinged President could not be more dangerous, and we must do everything that we can to protect the American people from his unbalanced assault on our country and our democracy,” Pelosi said in the letter.

 

[Albion]

For goodness' sake, lol.

Right. That's about the size of it. Thoughtful discussions about honest differences of opinion have given way to....this.

 

[NerdGirl]

I'm waiting for a thread about Trump-shaped demons possessing children or something. Just wait for it.

 

[Albion]

The answer is almost certainly "no". Safeguards are in place, so it is extremely unlikely that the military would obey such a order from the President.

What's more, there isn't any reason to think that he might start a nuclear war. And the people who came up with that accusation don't themselves have any logic to offer. But it sounds important when voiced, that's for sure.

Who would he attack, this lone president in recent memory NOT to have started a conflict?

Why would be want to do so, this president who has done more to foster peace around the world than any other president in recent times?

What makes anyone imagine that he, as President, doesn't know that it cannot be done that easily even if he, for some unknown reason, thought of doing it?

 

[mmksparbud]

I'm waiting for a thread about Trump-shaped demons possessing children or something. Just wait for it.

No---that's been done but with Biden and all Democrats! And you don't have to wait for it. Your little god has his sheep quite indoctrinated already, or they would not have done this at his call.

 

[Albion]

I'm waiting for a thread about Trump-shaped demons possessing children or something. Just wait for it.

I dunno. Until a few days ago, I would never have thought that any member of Congress, no matter his political party, would seriously go public with a demand that a man no longer in office as President could still be impeached and removed from the office he does not hold.

As a result, I am forced to keep open the possibility that the same geniuses might actually come forth with the news of Trump-shaped demons.

 

[mmksparbud]

Can a president be impeached after he leaves office, and what penalty would he face if convicted? (thedenverchannel.com)
With only a matter of days left in his official term, the House of Representatives unveiled Articles of Impeachment against President Donald Trump. Since Trump will be leaving office soon, some may be wondering what would happen to the impeachment process on January 20, and could any conviction have any impact once he is no longer president.

Can a president be impeached after leaving office?

Article II, Section 4 of the Constitution states:

“The Constitution gives Congress the authority to impeach and remove the President, Vice President, and all federal civil officers for treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.”

Legal scholars are divided on whether that allows for former civil officers to be impeached after they leave office.
face if convicted?




Calls for President Donald Trump's removal from office have grown louder since Wednesday's insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Here are two paths Democrat lawmakers may take to force the president to step down.




By: Sam Cohen
Posted at 10:36 AM, Jan 11, 2021

and last updated 1:02 PM, Jan 11, 2021
With only a matter of days left in his official term, the House of Representatives unveiled Articles of Impeachment against President Donald Trump. Since Trump will be leaving office soon, some may be wondering what would happen to the impeachment process on January 20, and could any conviction have any impact once he is no longer president.

Can a president be impeached after leaving office?

Article II, Section 4 of the Constitution states:

“The Constitution gives Congress the authority to impeach and remove the President, Vice President, and all federal civil officers for treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.”

Legal scholars are divided on whether that allows for former civil officers to be impeached after they leave office.

Recent Stories from thedenverchannel.com

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Although lawmakers have suggested in the past former presidents like Clinton or Obama be impeached for certain actions, no action has been taken by Congress and no court has ruled on the issue.

A definitive answer may not come until it happens and the issue is challenged in court.

If a former president is impeached and convicted by the Senate, could they run for office again?


If Congress moves forward with a second impeachment of President Trump, and the Senate votes to convict, very likely after January 20, what would that result in?

Again, looking to the Constitution, in Article I, Section 3, it states:

“Judgment in cases of impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust or profit under the United States.”

So, whether or not a civil officer is still in office, if they are found guilty by the Senate, they face losing their job and getting banned from future office.

Some lawmakers, when asked about why they are pursuing Articles of Impeachment, say if Trump is impeached and convicted, he could be barred from running for president again in 2024, or any other elected office in the future.

To disqualify Trump from running for future office, the decision only requires a simple majority of Senators to agree, according to Reuters. By comparison, two-thirds of the Senate is needed to convict and remove a president from office.


Because disqualification from running for future office remains a potential penalty, some legal scholars believe an impeachment trial can be brought against former civil officers.

Other than being removed from office, what else could a former president lose if impeached and convicted by the Senate?

The 1958 Former Presidents Act provides post-office benefits to former presidents; these currently include a $200,000/year pension, health insurance, a yearly travel budget, and a full security detail, all at the taxpayer’s expense.

If a president is impeached and convicted, there are many that believe this would disqualify him from receiving these benefits even if he is no longer in office when the conviction happens.

However, again, this is not specifically spelled out in the Impeachment process or in the Constitution, and there have not been any court rulings on this specific question.

If President Trump is impeached by the House, but the Senate does not vote to convict, he could maintain these benefits.


Bottom line, there are several questions about President Trump’s potential second impeachment that are not clearly answered by either the Constitution or precedence. Until they happen, and possibly challenged in the courts, they will remain unclear.

 

[A_Thinker]

The answer is almost certainly "no". Safeguards are in place, so it is extremely unlikely that the military would obey such a order from the President.

Nancy (Pelosi) seems to have gained the necessary confirmation of that.

We will have much to contemplate, ... once we get on the other side of this ...

 

[A_Thinker]

I'm waiting for a thread about Trump-shaped demons possessing children or something. Just wait for it.

You mean ... narcissism ???

 

[A_Thinker]

What's more, there isn't any reason to think that he might start a nuclear war. And the people who came up with that accusation don't themselves have any logic to offer. But it sounds important when voiced, that's for sure.

Who would he attack, this lone president in recent memory NOT to have started a conflict?

Why would be want to do so, this president who has done more to foster peace around the world than any other president in recent times?

What makes anyone imagine that he, as President, doesn't know that it cannot be done that easily even if he, for some unknown reason, thought of doing it?

We are calmed (perhaps unduly so) ... when we are led by those with calm and reasoning.

Those who are more driven by their emotions ... unnerve us ...

 

[civilwarbuff]

Legal scholars are divided on whether that allows for former civil officers to be impeached after they leave office.

I have no idea what 'legal scholars' that would be. It has always been accepted that only current office holders can be impeached. That once they leave office congress has no power to 'impeach' a private citizen. That is why it has never even been attempted.