[Wormius]

Originally Posted by edslunch

Hypothetical, even Trump isn’t this crazy (?), but if he loses could he go all scorched earth/salting fields on Biden and start a war or something prior to Jan 20? Are there any limits on an outgoing president’s power? Would people obey in any case?

I posted this before, and hopefully it still holds true.

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/ar...ont-go/606259/

If Trump were inclined to overstay his term, the levers of power work in favor of removal. Because the president immediately and automatically loses his constitutional authority upon expiration of his term or after removal through impeachment, he would lack the power to direct the U.S. Secret Service or other federal agents to protect him. He would likewise lose his power, as the commander in chief of the armed forces, to order a military response to defend him. In fact, the newly minted president would possess those presidential powers. If necessary, the successor could direct federal agents to forcibly remove Trump from the White House. Now a private citizen, Trump would no longer be immune from criminal prosecution, and could be arrested and charged with trespassing in the White House. While even former presidents enjoy Secret Service protection, agents presumably would not follow an illegal order to protect one from removal from office.