Flagpole wrote:
Trump may like the chaos that he causes, but there is always a cost-benefit analysis. Is refusing to leave the White House after losing an election treason? The still-stated punishment for treason in the US is death. Will he be SO unwilling to admit defeat that he's willing to be charged with treason (if indeed that's the charge)? I hope to hear more from legal experts about what happens if he refuses to leave. So far I have just heard that he will be escorted out. That CAN'T be the end of it.
Article III, Section 3 of COTUS is very specific: "Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open court." [Emphasis mine.]
That was deliberately crafted to be a high bar, and a simple refusal to leave the White House doesn't come close to clearing it.
My personal opinion is that DJT is most likely to play along on Inauguration Day. I think the possibility of his refusing to leave is very remote indeed. But if he did so it would certainly be the News Story of the Year and of course completely steal the thunder from JRB's swearing in.
Which might make it tempting. And might be red meat for the 70 million who voted for him.
Which might mean more attendance at rallies. Which might mean more $$$ (and adulation).
Which, with Donald Trump, is always the bottom line.