“Effective Civil Unrest” – Election Law Expert Warns of Post-Election Chaos as Trump Ramps up Rhetoric

Gabriel RomanNov 1, 2023

Minute Read

Speculation about the upcoming 2024 election is heating up. An expert in election laws has pointed out that even if lawyers connected to former President Trump plead guilty in the Georgia election interference case, it won’t sway certain voters. Many still firmly believe the 2020 election was unfairly taken from Trump, a feeling deeply rooted in their minds.

Trump Lawyers’ Guilty Pleas and Voter Beliefs

The legal landscape surrounding the 2020 election continues to evolve. However, as an election law expert highlights, these changes may not penetrate the convictions of some voters. They see the results of the Georgia election interference investigation as unlikely to change Trump supporters’ minds. They believe the election results were manipulated.

Empathy for Trump Supporters

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David Becker is a seasonable election expert. He showed empathy toward those who desired Trump’s second term. “I have empathy for ‘good’ Americans who sincerely wanted to see Donald Trump re-elected as president in 2020,” Becker stated. He recognizes the strong feelings that the election’s integrity was compromised. This is a narrative believed by many over an extended period.

Long-Term Disinformation Campaign

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Becker speaks of a disinformation campaign with far-reaching effects, crafted to agitate and manipulate supporters. “They’ve been targets of a long-term disinformation effort,” Becker explains. He highlighted that the misinformation goes beyond anger, serving as a mechanism to drive financial contributions toward Trump’s legal battles.

Challenges in Changing Perceptions

“It’s going to be very hard for them to get to the point of seeing that the target of this disinformation, of this grift, was them,” Becker reflects. He acknowledged the challenges of changing the beliefs of those convinced of election fraud. He suggests that the impact of long-term disinformation is deep, creating a barrier to recognizing the reality of the situation.

Foreign Interference in Election Narratives

Becker expressed serious concern regarding the role of foreign adversaries in shaping election narratives. He referred to a recent State Department cable that explored U.S. intelligence findings on foreign entities, including Russia. They were apparently actively working to erode confidence in the electoral system.

The Most Dangerous Post-Election Period

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Becker has raised concerns about the vulnerability of the post-election period in America. He argued that “the most perilous time following the 2024 election will be from November 5 to January 20.” According to him, this is when the nation enters a critical phase. During this time, the actions of any losing candidate could create an even stronger and more financially backed movement than the unrest observed in 2020.

Concerns Over Election Disruption

The potential for election disruption is a growing concern for Becker, particularly as former President Trump’s rhetoric escalates. He fears that “as Trump’s rhetoric gets louder and louder, some may try to disrupt next year’s voting process.” He points to a looming threat that could challenge the integrity of the upcoming elections.

Security of State Elections

Despite rising anxieties over election security, Becker offers a reassuring perspective on the validity of state-level elections. “The fact is that every state has security measures, every state has verifiable, transparent, secure elections,” Becker asserted. He stressed that the foundations of the election system remain solid.

Texas Election Audit Calls Despite Security

Even with President Trump’s victory in Texas and the absence of substantial fraud evidence, his call for an election audit raised eyebrows. In response, the Texas secretary of state has claimed the election process is “smooth and secure,” reinforcing the state’s confidence in the integrity of the electoral process. This statement comes as an affirmation of the election’s legitimacy.

Echoing Angelou on Political Behavior

The critique of political responses has become pointed, with one observer drawing from Maya Angelou’s wisdom: “When people tell you who they are, believe them the first time.” They criticized the Democrats’ actions during the protests and unrest in the summer of 2020, suggesting a need to follow the lessons of the past.

Sarcastic Remarks on Party Reactions

Some users targeted the GOP’s reactivity with humor. As one social media user put it, “The GOP cult is easily triggered. Just serve some Bud Light in rainbow cans and their heads will explode.” Other users appeared to agree with this view, claiming that the Republican Party is prone to dramatic overreaction to cultural symbols that contradict their values.

Trump’s Disturbing Call to Action

There is clear anxiety about the potential for election disruption. One user expressed their concern, saying, “Trump stood and told his fans to go down to the polls, not to vote, to disrupt the voting.” The fear is that Trump’s supporters will follow his call. This may lead to unsettling scenes at polling places, which could disrupt the electoral process and undermine democracy.

Foreboding Views of Political Instability

Other users shared this grim forecast for election-related violence. One voice stated, “No right-thinking person could possibly believe that, with the amount of unstable people in the Repugnant Party, this country could get through this election cycle without violence.” Many people echoed this idea and called for unity.

Anticipating Civil Unrest

The forecast for post-election America includes predictions of vocal expressions of dissatisfaction: “There will likely be lots of angry words, lots of social media stuff.” Users believe that, regardless of who wins the election, public protests are inevitable. However, they expect any serious unrest to be localized to larger cities rather than a nationwide occurrence.

Media Accused of Fueling Hatred

Accusations flew against the media for its role in encouraging societal divides, with a user claiming that “our bought media needs to stop stirring up the hate.” Others agreed with this plea for media accountability. For many people, sensationalist reporting is contributing to an atmosphere of hostility and division among the American public.

A Stand for Peaceful Political Discourse

For many people, they argued for a return to peaceful discourse. One user said, “It is unpatriotic to threaten your fellow citizens for a difference of political opinion.” Others agreed, calling for a rejection of violence. They, too, argued that engaging in or supporting harmful actions against others because of their vote goes against American democracy.

Urban Planning as a Deterrent

Highlighting a unique aspect of American urban design, one comment reads, “There’s not enough parking lots for an effective civil unrest.” They pointed out that the spread-out nature of U.S. cities, with their extensive roads and parking areas, might be a good thing. It could potentially stop people from gathering and demonstrating, making it difficult for protesters to organize on a large scale.

Seeking Solace Away From the Screen

As tensions run high, some suggest a radical solution: “The country is so divided. We all need to turn off Fox and CNN for a year.” The argument is that a break from the constant stream of polarizing news could be the fix to the country’s division. Surprisingly, many agree that a media blackout might restore a sense of community and well-being among Americans.