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I'm skeptical about part of that story, seeing as Esper literally earned the nickname "Yesper" for being a floor-mat to the president's wishes. But I also think
by throwaway23452 6y ago
I'm skeptical about part of that story, seeing as Esper literally earned the nickname "Yesper" for being a floor-mat to the president's wishes. But I also think the likelihood of a coup is way overblown. After Esper was pushed out, the other three people resigned; they weren't fired.
People said the same thing about a coup when he was first elected, when characters like Steve Bannon were in the White House whispering in his ear. At peak Trumpism across the country, before his approval rating started going down, that probably would have been a better time to do such a thing if it were going to happen. And yet... it just didn't. Lots of callous and shortsighted and regressive policy-making ensued, to be sure, but nothing like a coup.
- m_mueller 6y agoI really hope you’re right. At the end of the day, if he doesn’t concede then only the military can remove him on January 20th, which he can try to get sufficient control over. I think people are not taking his disregard of the election seriously enough.
- throwaway23452 6y agoI think it's serious either way, just in the longer-term. He continues to sow discord and distrust in our institutions which will last beyond this election cycle, and will only continue to weaken the country as a whole. But I don't think it'll amount to a sudden takeover. Fingers crossed.
- thrwaway2112 6y agoIs our him, or the media reporting that sows mistrust and discord? Tldr: it's the media
- throwaway11320 6y ago"“I am formally announcing that we will implement President Trump’s orders to continue our repositioning of forces” from Afghanistan and Iraq, Miller told reporters at the Pentagon." https://thehill.com/policy/defense/526362-trump-orders-pentagon-to-pull-2500-troops-from-afghanistan-and-iraq https://thehill.com/policy/defense/526362-trump-orders-penta...