Fact Check: Is trump attempting to take over the country in a self coup

Fact Check: Is Trump Attempting to Take Over the Country in a Self-Coup?

What We Know

The claim that Donald Trump attempted to take over the country through a self-coup is supported by various analyses of the events surrounding the January 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol. The Cline Center’s Coup d'État Project categorizes this event as both an attempted auto-coup and an attempted dissident coup, indicating that it was an organized effort to disrupt the constitutional process of certifying the presidential election results (Cline Center).

The term "self-coup" refers to actions taken by a sitting executive to undermine democratic processes and retain power, often by illegal means. Analysts have pointed out that Trump's efforts to overturn the election results, including urging supporters to march on the Capitol, fit this definition (Brookings).

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim of a self-coup is multifaceted. The Cline Center's classification of the January 6 events as an attempted coup is based on criteria that include the organized nature of the assault and the intent to disrupt the certification of electoral results (Cline Center). This categorization is significant because it implies a deliberate strategy to undermine the democratic process rather than a spontaneous act of violence.

Moreover, experts have drawn parallels between Trump's actions and historical instances of self-coups in other countries, where leaders have sought to consolidate power by circumventing democratic norms (Brookings). For example, Trump's public statements leading up to and during the Capitol riot, where he encouraged his supporters to "show strength" and "take back our country," illustrate a clear intent to influence the outcome of the electoral process (Brookings).

Critically, while some sources argue that the events of January 6 do not constitute a traditional coup due to the lack of military involvement, the definition of a self-coup does not require such involvement. Instead, it focuses on the actions of the sitting executive to maintain power through unconstitutional means (Cline Center).

Conclusion

The claim that Trump attempted to take over the country in a self-coup is True. The evidence indicates that the January 6 assault on the Capitol was an organized effort to disrupt the constitutional process of certifying the election results, fitting the definition of a self-coup. Trump's actions and rhetoric during this period demonstrate a clear intent to undermine democratic norms and retain power.