I
just couldn’t resist and am sure I am not the first or only one to think of it.
I am, once again, not posting to social media but only to my Writing Workshop
blog as a way of getting some junk out of my system and having a record as
things proceed, a kind of protection against claiming hindsight was foresight.
I
have been amazed at the seemingly unflinching support for Trump’s claims of
having lost by fraud. All sorts of things have been alleged, but not only
specific evidence was presented for examination by the courts or the public.
The courts, all the way to the Supreme Court as of yesterday, have consistently
dismissed the suits being brought without documentation. This includes judges
appointed not just by Republicans but by Trump himself (including his three
appointees to the Supreme Court). The Republican governors, legislatures, and
election officials in the contested states have consistently affirmed the
integrity of the election results.
Yet
17 States’ Attorneys General and 126 Republican members of Congress (if I’ve
got the numbers right), along with the President himself, joined with the Texas
suit that the Supreme Court would not hear yesterday. I have a very hard time
believing that they really believe that the election was fraudulently stolen
from Trump. I suppose I do understand their political inclination to desire a
Republican President, but the whole enterprise of overturning the election has
been an obviously futile fool’s journey. So I am left pondering what would
motivate these folk to take such an outlandish position publically. I have seen
suggested that they hope to curry favor for some sort of appointments or campaign
funding in the future. However, that seems a fatally flawed logic if they don’t
have the power of appointment.
I
suppose the exception to this that had been mentioned before in relationship to
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, though he denied it, would be hoping for a
presidential pardon before Trump leaves office.
Though
much darker and sinister, but somehow more plausible to me is that they are
intimidated and fear Trump’s vindictive revenge. Hard to imagine he has a file
of enough dirt on each of them that was worth risking their political futures
to prevent it from being exposed. Their public support for the Texas Supreme
Court suit has certainly bolstered the fervent proclamation of fraud among
Trump’s support base. I have no idea how big that is, but they do seem to be
plenty very vocal and visible and determined.
We
are already seeing signs that this group is ready to take to the streets in
protest of the election and to do everything possible to thwart the Biden
presidency. It seems to be somewhat above a rumor but not a definitive, public
plan yet, but I wonder if Trump’s hinted at January 20 rally in Florida will be
a “call to arms” and civil disobedience, cast carefully enough to not be a
literal provocation of armed rebellion. However, I have already seen some hints
from some (quoting Jefferson et al) justifying an uprising against what they
are labeling as tyranny. Given what I have observed the last five years, I don’t
know if Trump is self-disciplined or even aware enough to use language so
judiciously.
My
other speculation is whether once out of office, Trump will lose his power and
leverage and the Republican party will return to its classic principles, and
conservatives will disown Trump as a fake conservative, and evangelicals
abandon the one who is hardly one of them. I know that he wants to control the
party, but I am sure plenty of them are looking for an exit from the Trump mystic.
He has already turned on FOX News, without whom he would have been politically
marginalized. Will he turn on the party if the craved loyalty evaporates?
One
last speculation circling back to my title “Trumpertantrum.” I have a variety
of first hand experiences with renters who trashed their apartments when
evicted, or when the rent went up, or when they clashed with the landlord, or
when they were just ready to move on. My very serious concern is whether Trump
with trash the country as he exits. We all know a flurry of pardons and
executive orders are coming. Not good, but fully expected. I must say I have
wondered if the rush to go out with a cluster of federal executions is a very
grim expression of anger. “I lost, so people have to die!” I am not commenting
here on what these criminals deserve or the ongoing debate on capital
punishment. Rather, I am wondering if the timing is part of a final angry, deadly
outburst.
Probably
not at such a serious level, but I have to wonder what he will do to the White
House. I know many past presidents have taken things with them – I suppose as
mementos of their time there, but as far as I know none of them were
intentionally destructive or vented their rage on the physical building. To be
sure, there will be redecorating. That happens with every change of
administration. Because so many who worked in the White House were diagnosed
with covid-19, disinfecting is a reasonable expectation, whether that is done
in a precautionary way or as a disrespectful gesture. But I can’t help but
speculate on whether some symbolic damage might be left as a taunt to Biden et
al.
While
not all outgoing presidents have attended the inauguration of their successors,
a gracious statement of appreciation of the privilege of having served the
country and wishing the next president well is customary and polite. The
handwritten note in the desk drawer in the Oval Office is a tradition I doubt
Trump will continue. I have a personal interest here from my pastoral days. I
always left a note affirming well wishes and prayers for my successor, and this
was part of the training I had for my time as interim pastor.
