WASHINGTON DC, KOMPAS.com – Anything can happen in the presidential election (pilpres) of the United States today.
One of them is if the President Donald Trump lost, but didn’t want to admit it.
Here are some of the scenarios described by US political observer in Australia, Dr Emma Shortis.
Also read: The American Presidential Election: Calm and Cool, the Atmosphere at the Trump Campaign Headquarters
What if Trump resign and make Mike Pence president?
It could happen.
Dr Shortis said Trump could win the presidential election, then resign and turn over the presidency to his deputy Mike Pence.
“We’ve seen that happen in US history, when President Richard Nixon stepped down,” he explained.
“Assuming Donald Trump wins, Mike Pence can become president and serve the remainder of the term if Trump resigns,” he said.
President Nixon’s most famous resignation came in 1974, two years after the Watergate scandal, in which five Republican-linked men were caught breaking into Democratic Party headquarters in Washington.
Nixon’s resignation paved the way for vice president Gerald Ford to extend his presidency.
Also read: Trump Claims Winning US Presidential Election, His Republican Companion Is Depressed
If Biden wins but then dies, can Kamala Harris become president?
The answer, can.
If Joe Biden won the presidential election but later died, then his deputy will serve as president.
Kamala Harris then had an office in the Oval Office as the first US woman president until the next presidential election.
Can Trump declare himself victorious before the postal vote count?
Dr Shortis said Trump could do that, but it was definitely not a legitimate tactic.
“Nothing can stop Trump from claiming like that. Although it is not true, like many things he said, but Trump can make an announcement like that,” he explained.
Also read: Trump claims he won the US presidential election even though the count is not finished
“Trump has previously said that if the vote count was so tight, he would declare himself the winner.”
Dr Shortis said America’s democracy was currently in an unprecedented situation regarding what could happen when votes are counted this week.
“The US constitution is very clear about the transition of power, but it assumes people are acting in good faith and in accordance with the rules of society. We know Trump doesn’t really care about any of that,” he explained.
“Everything really depends on the reaction of the people around him, the reaction of the media. So basically it depends on how strong the American institutions are.”
In short, it is up to the judiciary, law enforcement and other constitutional agencies, as well as the media, to ensure any invalid claims by Trump are investigated fairly and transparently.
Also read: US Presidential Election: What if Trump and Biden Don’t Get 270 Electoral Colleges as a Condition?
If Trump wins a second term, could he face impeachment a second time?
According to Dr. Shortis, there is no limit to how much effort can be made to prosecute a US president.
“That is why the election of the Senate this time is very important,” he explained.
“If the Democrats win the Senate, it’s almost certain they will impeach Trump again (if Trump wins).”
If he loses, will Donald Trump be able to run for the presidential election in 2024 again?
The answer, can. In the United States, the presidency is limited to two terms, and can be non-consecutive (periods).
Also read: Trump vs Biden: Various Winning Scenarios Waiting to Prove Election Results
Melania Trump accompanies Donald Trump during the inauguration parade in 2017.
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Can Trump be punished if he refuses to accept a presidential election defeat?
Dr Shortis said the question was quite complicated.
“If he refuses to leave office and refuses to admit defeat, that means the Constitution and rule of law are not recognized,” he said.
“There are several things that the people can do, but basically it will not be until January 20 when the president’s power will undergo a transition.”
“Assuming everything goes according to what the opinion polls indicate, then Biden will become commander-in-chief of the US in January and he can order the military to remove Trump (from the White House),” he explained.
Dr Shortis said a lot would happen between the timing of the announcement of the winner of the presidential election and the date of the US presidential inauguration 20 January 2021.
“We will see a fully constitutional crisis (when Trump refuses to give up). I think the solution will not be easy,” he said.
Also read: Deemed not to reflect religious teachings, Trump is not supported by some evangelicals
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