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> A self-coup, also called an autocoup (from Spanish autogolpe) or coup from the top, is a form of coup d'état in which a political leader, having come to power
by stetrain 2y ago
> A self-coup, also called an autocoup (from Spanish autogolpe) or coup from the top, is a form of coup d'état in which a political leader, having come to power through legal means, stays in power through illegal means through the actions of themselves and/or their supporters.[1] The leader may dissolve or render powerless the national legislature and unlawfully assume extraordinary powers. Other measures may include annulling the nation's constitution, suspending civil courts, and having the head of government assume dictatorial powers.[2][3]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-coup https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-coup
For a recent example see the events in South Korea with President Yoon.
- invalidOrTaken 2y agoBut which of those actually fits the present situation? Four years haven't passed. Congress is not dissolved. It's literally just a bunch of executive orders and firings within the executive branch, which, last time I checked Article II, is under the authority of the president.
- Rodeoclash 2y agoFirst the coup starts happening, then the coup happens
- stetrain 2y agoI think “unlawfully assume extraordinary powers” may apply. It’s certainly debatable, but shutting down agencies created and authorized by Congress and refusing to distribute funding legislated by Congress seems to be an overstep of executive power, and therefore an undermining of Congress’s power. My main point was that ousting an incumbent or defying an election is not a requirement for something to be a coup, as the previous comment was suggesting. A legitimately elected official seizing more power than they are legally entitled to is a form of coup.
- invalidOrTaken 2y agoThere is certainly a transfer of power going on, but whether that's unlawful will be for the courts to decide.
- stetrain 2y agoI’m not sure a court ruling is a requirement for something to be called a coup.
- invalidOrTaken 2y agoanyone can call anything anything, sure(is it a "coup" when I paint a good painting, or win a game of chess? https://www.thefreedictionary.com/coup https://www.thefreedictionary.com/coup), but the great-grandparent comment referred to a "bizarre and highly illegal" coup.