Republican calls for ‘civil war’ if Trump loses

theprogressivist @lemmy.world to politics @lemmy.world – 527 points –
Republican calls for ‘civil war’ if Trump loses
telegraph.co.uk

A Republican state senator has called for “civil war” if Donald Trump loses the presidential election in November.

George Lang, an Ohio politician, made the comment as he introduced JD Vance at his first solo campaign event since becoming Trump’s running mate.

After taking to the stage fist-raised and shouting Trump’s post-shooting battle cry “Fight! Fight!”, Mr Lang warned of an existential threat facing Americans. He declared in front of a large, heated crowd in Ohio: “We are in the fight for the soul of our nation… for our kids, for our grandkids, it is a fight we can never imagine.

“I believe wholeheartedly, Donald Trump and Butler County’s JD Vance are the last chance to save our country. Politically, I’m afraid if we lose this one, it’s going to take a civil war to save the country.”

Video of the speech

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But the US didn't have tanks and planes back then. Surely our muskets will be even more effective against those.

The US would win without ever firing a single shot. Cut off electricity, the countless food products we import, imported fuel, cheap products from China, USPS/FedEx/Amazon Prime/etc, and so on. A week of eating gruel in the dark and they'll be begging to rejoin the US.

We wouldn't wait the week though, some of those states have oil.

One hurricane season without FEMA and I suspect their constituents would realize their mistake.

Bullfuckingshit. I said it when Trump was shot at, and I'll keep saying it: only ONE party has been ramping up the rhetoric for violence, and it sure as fuck isn't coming from Democrats. These morons obviously don't care if they get shot at again, because it's not in their minds that they are causing the problem.

This is their M.O. though:

  1. Identify a target to rant about
  2. Call for violence
  3. Say you're TOTALLY FUCKING SERIOUS THIS TIME
  4. Apologize and act like that's enough, knowing what you said will stick with the crowd, but the Democrats aren't going to call bullshit.

Here's a thought: Biden uses his last 6 months of King Powers granted by the SC to put everyone of these fuckers in jail by Executive Order on sedition and treason charges, backing it up by making it an "Official Act" since Trump was shot at, and these assholes are trying to get more people shot at. That'll shut them the fuck up.

I was saying that after Jan 6.

Historically speaking, not purging your opposition after an attempted coup or change of power is one of the dumbest decisions you can make, second only to putting/leaving the opposition in positions of power and also making them your successor.

In American history, we saw it with Lincoln, resulting in his assassination and the end of reconstruction, and less dramatically, we saw it when Obama (and more recently Biden) left like half of Bush's appointees in power, who immediately use their power to sabotage the administration.

Executive orders not needed, there are actually crimes they can be charged with but for the federalist society plant running DOJ

Call your Senators and Representatives and give them an earful about this. If they shrug you off or they are on the side of those calling for civil war, then let other gov't officials know.

We collectively need to stop allowing these shit lords from getting away with putting the idea of war against each other into the minds of those that otherwise know it's wrong but just follow groupthink

One minor, but important distinction:

Yes, the alt right and Republicans generally have been ramping up violent rhetoric. They broke the social contract and thus are no longer covered by it.

They are now valid targets of violence.

It's a subtle distinction but important one and one we on the left must be careful to employ because the Alt-right will use any violence against them and will respond in kind.

I mean, you're totally right until the last paragraph. I don't think Biden locking them up by executive order would shut them up. I think it's more likely that would spark the civil war they're so desperate to have. They're like Kyle Rittenhouse, just waiting for an excuse to shoot a leftist.

Sorry, it doesn't read with inflection properly I guess. I guess just every time some random trying to curry favor with Trump calls for violence or a Civil War, that there should be punishment. Seems Biden can do that now milli-vanilli, and he should use it for some good.

Will Biden be doing the lip-syncing in this situation or is he the actual band?

That and the Supreme Court gets to decide what king powers are legal, and who gets to exercise it. And its not Biden

I see people constantly saying that democracy will end, there wont be elections again, they will do all kinds of evil things, etc. How is that not ramping up rhetoric for violence?

Trump has specifically said these things. The Project 2025 psychos have said these things. Those are threats. Therefore, that is a threat to democracy, and democracy ending. So again, it's only coming from one side, the MAGA clowns.

So how then how does your team claiming democracy will end if they win not ramp up rhetoric for violence?

I have no idea what this even means...

If Trump is orange Hitler then it would be good stop him by any means necessary. If your claim is "If Trump takes power that will end democracy" how is that not rhetoric for violence?

Because the Democrats aren't out there saying "HEY, WE NEED A FUCKING CIVIL WAR AND TO START KILLING PEOPLE WHO ARENT ON BOARD WITH OUR NAZI V2 BULLSHIT!", those are Trump's cronies saying this shit.

The Democrats are out there saying to show up and vote.

Big fucking difference, and the pedantry of your question says you're trying to troll, or completely ignorant at best if you can't tell the difference on your own. WTF.

So the rhetoric does not increase violence just as long as you agree with it?

Do you know what the word "rhetoric" means? You really are not using it correctly. Which means you don't understand what you're even talking about.

Sure and if you believe that trump is going to "END DEMOCRACY!!!" and "THERE WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER ELECTION!!!!!!!!", then you believe the propaganda.

He has literally threatened to install himself as a dictator, stop elections he doesn't think are "fair" (whatever isn't going his way), remove the two-term limit, bomb cities he doesn't like, take political prisoners, execute political prisoners, have public executions for people he feels deserve.

He has said these things out loud with his own mouth, and in stupid social media posts.

Responding to that very real threat directly from him isn't "rhetoric". If you want to act like none of this has happened, you go right on ahead, but the simple fact still is: ONLY ONE PARTY HAS BEEN HYPING VIOLENCE, AND IT'S NOT THE DEMOCRATS.

Have a pleasant evening crying into your MAGA merch you were grifted into buying. Wipe those tears with your $40 MAGA handkerchief, and rest your head on your $100 MAGA pillow. Sucker.

Exactly my point, you go into a fit when you think about trump, this is EXACTLY what the propaganda is intended to do. You flip the fuck and then rage quite.

Lets take a look at the first one about dictator. He said it as a joke, and then he explained the to things he was going to do which was drill for more oil, and control the border. Two things all presidents do. You have been lied to and tricked, they have won you over with lies and misleading.

6 more...
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Republicans immediately after trump was shot at:

Political violence is never okay.

Republicans 1 week after trump was shot at:

If trump loses we'll start killing people!

If we lose this election we will need to have a civil war to save the country? So what he's saying, in essence, is that if Trump can't get enough support to win an election, his supporters should overthrow the government. Am I understanding that correctly?

Yep. Your understanding is correct.

You're*

Edit: Brainfart. Please disregard. I suck cocks.

Lol, no. Does "you are understanding is correct" sound correct to you? Because you're means you are.

Haha whops, you're right! I guess I was mad tired when I commented.

I think I read that as "you're understanding correctly" or something. But whatevs. Sorry.

That should be grounds for immediate disqualification. It won't be because the previous one happened anyway even though there was ample warning.

Calling for the overthrow of the government because you lost an election should be grounds for something much harsher than just disqualification.

That should be grounds for arrest for insurrection and treason.

As a Latin American it is so surreal to see American politicians behave the same way as their counterparts in countries like Nicaragua and Venezuela, hopefully things are not going to go down this route

Kyle Gass makes an edgy joke and he gets canceled. This fucker calls for literal civil war and it's considered business as usual. Got it.

But Kyle Gass is much more influential, he decides policies and laws and swore an oath to serve the people while George Lang is just a musician.

The temperature is definitely rising. I'd be lying if I said I'd be cool with Republicans succeeding at keeping Harris (or whoever the Dem pick is) off the ballots in any state - we have a questionable democracy right now... we'd definitely not have a democracy then.

There is a party of people that will argue that we are not a democracy or never were.

And there is a majority of Americans ready to tell those dumb nerds to shut up with their boring nonsense

But since they've got a broken electoral system and the billionaires on their side it could go either way

And those same mendacious, disingenuous fuck-knuckles get pseudo-patriotism boners when Trump whips out the "I took a bullet for democracy" line, without an ounce of shame or even self-awareness.

I assure you, the people who are aware of the US's history and don't recognize it as a democracy (or more specifically, recognize it as a bourgeoisie democracy), are not patriotic or pro-trump.

A simple test for who the US government represents: Does it's actions favor the people or the bourgeoisie?

It was founded as a democracy for some. That's what they want to go back to.

They kept Lincoln of the ticket in some southern states.

Your definition of democracy seems to hinge on your own whims.

Your desperation to invalidate democracy based on a switching of candidates shows two things… 1 shit happens… not too different as the decades pass, and 2 you don’t understand the meaning of “democracy” and are desperate to just talk shit…

Dems switching candidates doesn’t invalidate democracy it just shows how desperate you are to discount it…

What? I'm talking about Republicans suing to keep a democrat off the ticket - that's a much different ball game than the convention. I want an open process in both arenas without tampering.

Way to completely miss what he said there. He said "with republicans SUCCEEDING AT KEEPING HARRIS OFF OF THE BALLOTS". How the fuck does this drivel have so many upvotes when it completely misses the argument.

Oh no! What will we do if morbidly obese 70 year-old slobs who are so afraid of cities that they think they need a gun to visit San Francisco start a civil war? How will we ever defeat the sandy vagina brigade that thinks a reality TV host is a big a strong man?

San Fran? I live in rural America and I see twits like this at the grocery store. They are too scared to go buy a gallon of milk without being strapped.

Odds are there will be no real civil war. The assault on the capitol only worked because Trump was in power letting it happen, and even then they didn't get too far. A lot of those assholes went to prison.

Go vote and let them attack the US gov.

Believe people when they tell you who they are

I believe them and that’s why I want to have them start a civil war. It’s the best way to purge these elements and it won’t take days to do so, more like minutes.

People are too comfortable to have a civil war. People will rebel when they're hungry, jobless, and have zero prospect for the future.

It's gonna have to get a lot worse before then if a war were to happen.

things were going pretty well in 1860, until states decided the constitution didn't apply to them, which is likely the same scenario this time if anything were to happen.

Things were not going well in 1860 for black people.

Also, the north couldn’t compete economically with the south because the south had all the free labor and longer growing season.

It was the other way, the south couldn't compete economically with the north. the north had the advantage of manufacturing superiority. The south depended on cotton exports, and their biggest buyers were...the north... They betted on being able to keep exporting to the UK, but the Union had strong navy blackades preventing easy way to export, and the UK had their new india territories to source cotton, so it wasn't worth it for the UK to support the rebellious americans.

Those blockades came in 1861, but for decades prior, the white people in the south prospered off of their free labor. The south was wealthy and its economy was rapidly growing. That all went to shit for them when as you said the UK stopped buying their cotton.

so... It was a good time, until they fucked themselves by being traitorous bastards?

Yea pretty much… a good time for the white men of property at least.

It was my understanding that the North was economically surpassing the South leading up to the Civil War as they embraced technological advancements in transportation, manufacturing, and agriculture.

They were still struggling to compete with the free labor of the south if I am not mistaken.

A lot of those assholes went to prison.

Except one particular asshole that is still running for Presidency.

God.. them doing it again and thinking Trump will just pardon them again and the cops will "Stand down".....

That would...

(Reposting from another thread)

Enough is enough. Shit like this is putting us on a path for another insurrection.

Here is a sample letter to provide George Lang, especially if you are an OH resident. George Lang contact form

subject: "Call for Resignation Due to Undemocratic Remarks"

Dear Senator Lang,

I am writing to express my profound disappointment and concern regarding your recent comments about the potential need for a civil war if certain political outcomes are not achieved. Your statement, “I’m afraid if we lose this one, it’s going to take a civil war to save the country, and it will be saved,” is not only deeply irresponsible but also fundamentally undemocratic. Such rhetoric is dangerous and unbecoming of a public servant in a democratic society.

As a concerned citizen, I am compelled to voice my strong objection to your words. They undermine the very principles upon which our nation was founded: the peaceful transition of power and the rule of law. Democracy thrives on debate, disagreement, and ultimately, the will of the people as expressed through free and fair elections. The suggestion that violence is an acceptable response to losing an election is antithetical to these principles.

An apology for this grave error is simply not sufficient. The damage caused by promoting the idea of civil unrest as a solution to political disagreement cannot be undone with mere words of regret. Your statement has the potential to incite division and violence, putting our nation and its citizens at risk.

In light of the seriousness of your comments, I call on you to resign from your position as a United States Senator. The responsibilities of your office require a commitment to uphold democratic values and to lead with integrity. Your recent remarks have shown a disregard for these responsibilities, and as such, stepping down is the most honorable course of action you can take for the sake of our country's stability and unity.

The United States faces numerous challenges that require thoughtful, collaborative solutions. It is imperative that our leaders prioritize dialogue and cooperation over divisive and inflammatory rhetoric. I urge you to consider the impact of your words and to take responsibility for them by resigning your seat.

Sincerely,

[Your First Name]

Additionally i encourage looking up your Senators and contacting them as well:

Subject: "Urgent: Call to Denounce Undemocratic Rhetoric and Advocate for Resignation"

Dear Senator [Senator's Name],

I am writing to express my profound disappointment and concern regarding recent comments made by Senator George Lang about the potential need for a civil war if certain political outcomes are not achieved. His statement, “I’m afraid if we lose this one, it’s going to take a civil war to save the country, and it will be saved,” is not only deeply irresponsible but also fundamentally undemocratic. Such rhetoric is dangerous and unbecoming of a public servant in a democratic society.

As your constituent, I am compelled to voice my strong objection to such words. They undermine the very principles upon which our nation was founded: the peaceful transition of power and the rule of law. Democracy thrives on debate, disagreement, and ultimately, the will of the people as expressed through free and fair elections. The suggestion that violence is an acceptable response to losing an election is antithetical to these principles.

An apology for this grave error is simply not sufficient. The damage caused by promoting the idea of civil unrest as a solution to political disagreement cannot be undone with mere words of regret. His statement has the potential to incite division and violence, putting our nation and its citizens at risk.

In light of the seriousness of these comments, I call on you to take a stand against such rhetoric. I urge you to publicly denounce these remarks and advocate for Senator Lang's resignation from his position. The responsibilities of a United States Senator require a commitment to uphold democratic values and to lead with integrity. His recent remarks have shown a disregard for these responsibilities, and as such, stepping down is the most honorable course of action he can take for the sake of our country's stability and unity.

The United States faces numerous challenges that require thoughtful, collaborative solutions. It is imperative that our leaders prioritize dialogue and cooperation over divisive and inflammatory rhetoric. I urge you to consider the impact of these words and to take a firm stand for democracy.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your response and to seeing our representatives uphold the values that make our country strong.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

Make sure to send to both senators, regardless of their party.

I promise you they don't read this shit and either have free volunteering moronic and willing slave laborers read this or pay a few interns minimum wage to read all this shit and send back pre-written canned replies.

Sending this is likely a complete waste of fucking time. I wouldn't know for sure, but I'm willing to bet money on it.

Honestly, at this point I'm getting tired of them saying it all the time.

Do it.

It would not go the way they think it would go, and the confederate/nazi/MAGA party would be swiftly defeated within days/hours. They do not have the support they think they have, most Americans don't let politics run their lives and Fox poison their brains and a civil war would actually wake those Americans up to the seriousness of what's going on right now.

Keep a close eye. These motherfuckers are riding the edge of subversive/seditious acts: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smith_Act

If any organization makes "civil war" an official position then they're fucked.

Not with a supreme court that's willing to say Unicorns exist for the sake of a legal argument. Law means nothing in this land for republicans right now.

Do you see Biden's AG charging them with treason?

They didn't capitalize on Jan 6th to purge everyone involved, just gave a few car dealership owners a slap on the wrist.

It should be noted that a large swath of that act has been overturned by the supreme court in the decades since the 40s.

It's where we get the distinction between "advocating for revolution" and "telling people to revolt, now".

One is protected because "violent revolution" in an abstract sense is a protected political policy position.
The law was originally used to target unionists and socialists who said we needed to tear the system down and rebuild it, by force if necessary.

What isn't protected is an imminent call to action or direct incitement to lawlessness.

Advocating for the ability to do something that violates the current law is the only way to advocate for changing a law.

Save the country from what exactly? Save it from gay rights? Save it from trans rights? That's it isn't it? They want to save the country from human fucking rights.

Don’t forget women’s rights and atheists and religions other than Christianity. And immigrants

So they're moving on to this to scare people from voting because they know they're absolutely fucked right now. Fuck that nonsense, VOTE. Volunteer to help give rides to people that otherwise wouldn't be able to vote.

They invoke “civil war” phrase every time they feel threatened, and then wonder why their candidate faced an assassination. Who do they think is the dumbass here? Their voters? Or the opposition?

Not to make light, but one does not simply "start a civil war". A civil war needs armies and territory. It is just terrorism without those.

I think that is what modern civil war in america would be, the country is too split for some kind of army situation. The urban-rural divide makes it rather strange.

Oh the union will and does have an army...don't know what the other side will do though

Why do you think all the soldiers would go to one side?

The oath they swore at MEPS, and if they did not take that seriously, I say have fun losing.

So you are claiming that if republican types would feel strongly enough to split from the country, and the military (which is a majority republican) would be willing to kill people with the same ideology because they did an oath long ago? And you actually think there would be a winner in a civil war?

The military isn't just a bunch of Trump loving extremists. It's just as divided as the rest of the population, but they also are very strict about upholding the constitution and democracy. If people of their same ideology threatened the United States' peace and democracy, most active duty members would likely be willing to fight against them

You are making the assumption that they would agree with you poltically and that the GOP is the one that would be breaking the rules and being the cause of the peace being disturbed. Which side wants a revolution? Whos revoultuion is currently happening?

What? You're the one who suggested the military is Republican and wouldn't fight fellow Republicans starting an uprising. And this is in response to a comment by the GOP senator calling for civil war.

I'm not making any assumptions, I posted a link to a poll showing the military is politically diverse, and I said they are generally pretty strict in following their beliefs in freedom, democracy, and the constitution. I'm really not sure what you're trying to imply.

And I dont think showing that some are not republicans means they would be willing to attack fellow americans for a number of reasons. Also I think its presumptuous to think that people that didnt want to be part of the country would be incorrect or extremests.

You're not incorrect for not wanting to be part of this country, but you are incorrect thinking that a violent overthrowing of a democratic process in this country is not against the freedoms of our citizens, the democracy the military swore to protect, or the very basis of our laws, the constitution.

I'm sure some of the military do hold far right fascist ideals and may be sympathetic to any seditious movement or even want to join them. But they would be extremists for starting a civil war, and they would not be the majority.

Also the military would not be attacking fellow Americans. The former Americans would be trying to overthrow the democratically elected government, and the military would be protecting American citizens. When you declare civil war against the United States, you are no longer a citizens and don't have the same rights as a citizen. You are then an enemy of the United States, and by extension, our military.

The issue is the constitution is now toilet paper, and it doesnt mean anything anymore. So to say that the people that want to go back to when it was a real thing are the extremists is a frame shift and an ideological difference.

I would agree with you that many would gleefully mow down waves of american citizens, but I dont think it would be all or probably even more than half. And its not that it would be a declared war its just that states would start ignoring federal laws and degrees. Its also just an unwinnable war and everyone loses.

Do we actually know the military is majority Republican now?

(I grew up hearing that, but have since learned a lot of repeated things from childhood was a lie.)

Small sample size, but there's one pro-Trump civil war if no Trump guy I have actually seen in person, and he only recently left the military. So yes, I imagine there would be at least some military defectors.

Though I think the logistics would be more complicated in defecting, since thanks to constant instant communication and trivial travel, state identity is far more diluted than it was in the 19th century. Particularly in the military where they move members around like crazy. So any given military unit is unlikely to be all-in on civil war across the board, and hopefully less likely to defect if it means turning on their own unit.

If we have another civil war, we can learn from our biggest mistake too.

Finish Reconstruction.

We can accept their secession, conquer them, and then keep them as territories. During that time, we can enact policy that helps all Americans. Restore fairness standards in news reporting, wipe out the KKK, pass a voter's bill of rights, tax churches equally, replace FPTP with IRV, and abolish the electoral college.

If we don't address the brainwashing, it'll happen a third time too. They can have a little bit of authoritarianism if they want it so much.

If we have another civil war, we can learn from our biggest mistake too.

Finish Reconstruction.

Obligatory - FUCK ANDREW JOHNSON.

Problem this time is, it isn't quite as clear cut geographically. Even in red states like Georgia, you have MILLIONS of Democrats.

Bring it the fuck on. Don't mistake a distaste for violence for an unwillingness to fight would-be oppressors.

It’s so funny that these people will then turn around and deny all of the violence and unrest brought about by MAGA.

Charlottesville, January 6th, the attack on Paul Pelosi, the attempted kidnapping, torture and execution of Gretchen Whitmer, I could go on. They even wrote 900 pages on how they want to dismantle decades of progress in the US.

They then have the audacity to say that it’s the democrats who need to “turn down the rhetoric” and stop trying to take away their rights?

It’s maddening.

I'll never forget the Florida Republican that rammed his car into a Prius and shot at the driver, learning your statement the hard way.

So for them it's trump or violence? Why are these people allowed in civil society

If these red states wanna become third world countries overnight be my guest.

Dude, I live in one and very left.

I don't want that.... wait, would that mean my taxes would go down?

Unless you're wealthy, you probably not. If anything, they'll probably go up for all the money they're not taking from the wealthy

thats the best case. more likely being dragged into a war to die to protect the wealthy... just like the first civil war...

There wouldn't be an enforcement mechanism to collect taxes. Just local extorters

Let em. Most of them are probably too geriatric and stupid to know how to fight a war.

The extremes of both parties appear to believe that their opponent's victory would end American democracy. I don't mean to equate the two parties (I think only the red one is actually a threat). I'm just worried that we'll be seeing much more violence than we're used to.

"...it is a fight we can never imagine."

What does that even mean?

From the prologue, we can infer they'll be shooting at each other.

Why would they want to lose immediately after losing...I mean, I don't want to kink-shame, but I don't see the logic....