The posts are ominous.
“Pick a side, or YOU are next,” wrote conservative talkshow host Dan Bongino on the Truth Social media platform in the aftermath of Donald Trump’s 34 felony convictions.
The replies were even more so.
“Dan, seriously now,” one user wrote in response to Bongino. “I see no way out of all this mess without bloodshed. When you can rig an election, then weaponize the government and the courts against a former President, what other alternative is there? I’m almost 70 and would rather die than live in tyranny.”
That’s a common version of how many people on the US right reacted to the ex-president’s verdict, drawing on a “mirror world” where Trump is seen as the selfless martyr to powerful state forces and Joe Biden is the dangerous autocrat wielding the justice system as his own personal plaything and a threat to US democracy.
Calls for revenge, retribution and violence littered the rightwing internet as soon as Trump’s guilty verdict came down, all predicated on the idea that the trial had been a sham designed to interfere with the 2024 election. Some posted online explicitly saying it was time for hangings, executions and civil wars.
I think you underestimate the number of military personnel that support Trump. The lack of military or police support as our Congress was invaded was no accident.
Well, the commander in chief at the time was involved in the conspiracy to commit treason. They definitely delayed the military response themselves. I don’t think the President Biden will want such a delayed response this time.
It’s probably regional. In Tennessee, within an infantry unit, you might see some support but not total. In suburban areas only a few supporters. Regardless, they risk losing their pay if they turn traitorous which means it won’t happen.
i would think that being in the military would give people even better insight into exactly what someone would have to overcome if they’re fucking dumb enough to decide to go rogue. ‘overcome’ as in the entire rest of the us military. unless you’re getting a significant number of high ranking officers on board, you’re basically going nowhere