2024

THE SECOND CIVIL WAR

A Glimpse into what 2024 might Portend – by Andy Dawkins (entirely a work of hope & fiction)

Chap. 1 – December, 2023

     Following the Colorado Supreme Court’s decision that Trump is ineligible to be on the Colorado primary election ballot and Trump’s lawyers filing an appeal to the US Supreme Court, Justice Samuel Alito stopped by Chief Justice John Roberts’ home.

      “Chief, I need help.  We have to let the people decide this next election.  We can’t have the courts taking away the voters’ right to choose – it could trigger an even bigger insurrection – maybe even the start of a second civil war.  We have to preserve the Union.  You have to take the lead on this, and I’ll have to write a dissent.  You know I’m a committed textualist.”

     “You know, Sam, your textualism, your strict constructionist approach to interpreting the Constitution, has already caused the country, and the Republican Party, a lot of grief and lost elections.  I told you reversing Roe v. Wade would be a mistake.  For God’s sake, get with the changing times.  The founding fathers never intended the Constitution be a static document, unable to adapt to actual events.  Yes, I agree refusing to allow Trump, that asshole, to be a candidate could trigger a civil war, a nation so divided we’d need a second coming of Abe Lincoln, but . . . but I’m determined to have us arrive at a unanimous decision – you can’t dissent.”

     Justice Alito: “Okay, but tell me how you’re going to get around the exact wording of the 14^th Amendment, Section 3 “ . . . no person shall hold any office, civil or military, who having previously taken an oath to support the Constitution, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof.”

     Chief Roberts: “Well, I’m not about to parse words with you at this point, but get your law clerks working on ways to dodge that clear meaning.  God damn it, he sure gave comfort to those trying to over throw the election, coming to hang his own VP for God’s sake!  These are important words for the future of our country, our democracy.  I’m not about to offer aid or comfort to future insurrectionists.”

Chap. 2 – January, 2024

     Despite Chief Justice Roberts wish to delay everything as long as possible and then consolidate all the Trump cases into one massive ruling – the Court could not duck making a ruling on the Colorado case, and quickly.  Unless the Supreme Court intervened, on January 5 the Colorado ballot would go to the printers without Trump’s name on it.  So, on January 4, the Court agreed to hear the Colorado “Trump is an insurrectionist” case and stayed the implementation of the Colorado decision, effectively putting on hold all the “Trump can’t be on the ballot cases” underway in multiple other states.  The Supreme Court scheduled oral arguments for January 15.  Further, the Court declared that Rule 53 of the Federal Judicial Code of Conduct would not apply to the January 15 hearing – television cameras would be allowed in the court room.

     Meanwhile, on January 9, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ruled that Trump was not immune from criminal prosecution in the election interference case brought by Special Counsel Jack Smith, and Trump’s lawyers had no choice but to also ask the U.S. Supreme Court to hear that case.  Chief Justice Roberts convinced his brethren to hear the immunity case together with the Colorado can’t-be-on-the-ballot case.  “The earlier we tackle these issues head-on, the more hopeful we can be of returning to a less chaotic election cycle,” he told them.  “I am looking to build a unanimous opinion that somehow lets the public, the voters, have first crack at deciding if they want Trump as their candidate – a jury of America.”

     Now both cases would be argued on January 15 in front of a live television audience.

     The legal arguments on January 15 were a rehash of what had been argued in the courts below, and the lawyers for the government did their level best to concentrate on the nine Justices as the most important audience, but Trump’s lawyers took a different approach – they played to the television audience – the largest television audience in the history of Nielsen ratings.  It was as if they sensed the law was not on their side, so instead they were trying to scare the nine Justices into ruling in their favor – or face the wrath of Trump America. 

     For example, Justice Sotomayer to Trump lawyer D. John Sauer: “Are you saying that no matter what a President does, even committing the act of murder, the President automatically gets a ‘Get-Out-of-Jail Free Card’?”  To which Sauer responded, actually looking to the cameras instead of to Sotomayer:

      “The patriotic acts of good Americans trying to prevent a stolen election should not be considered murderous.  To hold Trump to be the equivalent of a murderer makes your question, you, a target of the voters’ wrath.”  Under her breath, Sotomayer whispered to the Chief:

     “He just admitted there is no absolute immunity – case over.”

     Following the day long hearing, pollsters and pundits all over the country tried to judge the reaction of the American public.  Not surprisingly, few minds seemed changed.  If anything, views were hardening.  “We can storm the Court as well,” a Proud Boy explained, “I voted for Trump today in my Iowa precinct caucus, and if the Court doesn’t allow my vote to count, we’ll have to take matters back into our own hands.”

     On January 19, 10 a.m. (EST), the Court issued its unanimous rulings:

1. The Colorado Supreme Court ruling that Trump is an “insurrectionist” is upheld.  There was comforting given to those who wanted to overthrow an election.
2. The Colorado Supreme Court ruling that Trump can’t be on the ballot is overruled.  A political party choosing a candidate, whether qualified or not, is a party function, not a government function.
3. We reserve ruling on the question whether Trump is an “office holder” within the meaning of Section 3 of the 14^th Amendment until if and when he is the Republican nominee.  Further proceedings in this Colorado case are stayed until after the Republican National Convention scheduled for July 15-18 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
4. The office of the Presidency does not grant immunity from criminal prosecutions for alleged criminal acts committed before, during or following the time as President.  However, during the term of service as President of the United States, there can be no criminal proceedings – the proper proceeding would be one of impeachment.  The criminal prosecutions of Donald Trump for allegedly trying to interfere with an election, as well as the 91 other felonies he’s been charged with, can proceed to trial.  There is no post-presidency immunity.

    Of course, these rulings created a frenzy of media speculation as to what it all meant or foretold.  One editorialist said the January 19 ruling would become known as the shot across the bow that started a second civil war.

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     The New Hampshire Republican presidential primary was held on January 23, and the battle lines became clear.  Most of the prominent Republicans in the state quickly rallied behind either Nikki Haley or Chris Christie and urged others, especially Independents, to get out and vote and rescue the Republican Party from itself.  “The US Supreme Court has given a clear warning to be careful about what might happen if we choose an insurrectionist to be our nominee.” 

     But the Trump base held.  In a record turn-out, the final tally was 43% for Trump, 35% for Haley, 15% for Christie, and 7% other.  Sensible Republicans across the land took heart – it seemed clear that a majority of Republicans could be mustered to defeat Trump – if only Christie would drop out.  Nevertheless, Trump, of course, declared himself mightily victorious.

     Ominously, for moderate Republicans, exit interviews indicated a large number of the voters for Haley and Christie considered themselves to be Independents more than Republicans and not all states allow Independents to vote in a Republican primary.

Chap. 3 – February

     Following the New Hampshire primary and leading up to the February 27 South Carolina Republican primary, there was wide-spread criticism of the Supreme Court decision.  Letting the voters decide and hoping they would get rid of Trump for the Court was not just a dodge of their responsibilities but also a conflagration in the making, a second civil war if Trump ended up being the nominee and the Court then rules him ineligible.  Petitions for a re-hearing were being filed.

     Meanwhile, Chief Justice Roberts was having nightmares remembering that Fort Sumpter, South Carolina, was where the first Civil War began and regretting the compromises he’d made to get to a unanimous court decision.  “Here’s hoping Haley can win her home state and build the momentum she needs to win the Super Tuesday primaries,” he thought.

     On the campaign front, Trump immediately seized on the court decision to incite his base.  At every rally he was on live TV screaming: “Did you hear that?!  You’ve been called insurrectionists.  IN-SUR-REC-TION-ISTS !  Well, don’t stop being Patriotic and Proud.  Don’t back down!  Keep on fighting.  Carry your guns.  There’s a Constitutional right to that, too.  If it takes an in-sur-rec-tion to Make America Great Again – so be it!  When I’m elected, y’all be pardoned.  I consider it an act of loyalty – all of us working together – and voting – to keep our country from being overrun by illegals, wetbacks, immigrants poisoning our blood, jihadists, terrorists, rapists – and fraudulent voters stealing elections – aided and comforted by Biden and the Democrats.”

     Battle lines being drawn.

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     Trump arrived in South Carolina the day before voting and continued his authoritarian braying, promising, if elected, he would

1. Nullify parts of the Constitution;
2. Seize power from Congress;
3. Imprison his political foes;
4. “Execute” Rachel Maddow;
5. Shoot shoplifters on sight;
6. End birthright citizenship;
7. Begin mass deportations;
8. Purge the leadership of the military;
9. Declare a war on civil service;
10. End racial equity programs;
11. Fight for a “patriotic only” school curriculum;
12. Allow teachers to carry concealed weapons;

 and, among other things,

13. Exit from the Paris Climate Accords;

saying “The greatest threat to our nation is not Russia, it’s ourselves:  the USA-hating people who represent us.  South Carolinians – Be PROUD of your heritage!”

     On February 24 Haley’s home state turned out to be more of a Trump state.  Trump received 51% of the vote, enough to win 100% of the South Carolina delegates to the Republican National Convention.

     Pundits saw the battleline shifting from sensible Republicans versus Trump Republicans to

Trumpsters versus the court system.

     Meanwhile, in the Democratic primaries Joe Biden was coasting with nominal opposition.

Chap. 4 – March

    On March 4 the criminal case against Donald Trump in the court room of U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan recommenced.  Trump, standing accused of interfering with a federal election, would now face a jury of his peers – the U.S. Supreme Court having ruled there was no absolute presidential immunity.  The case was expected to last a month or more before going to the jury.

    On Super Tuesday, March 5, fifteen states held presidential primaries and both Trump and Biden continued to build their leads heading to their national conventions.  One of the fifteen was Colorado and the record turn-out of newly registered Republicans gave Trump the victory. 

     The following day the Colorado Supreme Court scheduled a hearing to determine if the Colorado Secretary of State should be ordered to keep Trump off the ballot in the November election – this in light of the January Supreme Court decision that the primary ballot was one thing (a political party affair – which the government couldn’t interfere with) but the general ballot another thing (a government function). 

     A spokesperson for the Colorado Supreme Court was quoted saying, “The voters were warned that by putting an insurrectionist on the ballot, they were doing so at their own risk – risk  of him being found unqualified.  We still don’t know if Trump will be the eventual party nominee, but voters across America and delegates to the Republican Convention should now have ample – ample – warning that Trump may not get any popular votes or electoral college votes in any state that finds him disqualified.”

      Meanwhile, the Supreme Court in Michigan recommenced that state’s case to keep Trump off the ballot using the same rationale – the Michigan Republican Primary is over; Trump won; it’s on to the general.  But the Michigan court added a twist, a court spokesperson saying, “We know the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that Trump is an insurrectionist, but in fairness to Mr. Trump, we are going to rehear the original case and allow him to testify and bring forward witnesses as to whether he is disqualified or not.  In addition, the lawyers have been ordered to fully brief the issue as to whether being President is being “an officer of the United States” within the meaning of Section 3 of the 14^th Amendment.”

Chap. 5 – April

      In April twelve more states held their primaries and both Trump and Biden continued to build delegate counts all but guaranteeing their eventual nominations.  However, on the Republican side a group of so called “Lincoln Republicans” was running “favorite sons,” and urging elected delegates to change party rules to allow “motions to reconvene and reconsider” if the U.S. Supreme Court eventually rules that Trump is disqualified within the meaning of the 14^th Amendment.

     On April 16^th, headlines across the land blared “SECRET MESSAGES UNCOVERED SHOWING TRUMP INSURRECTION INVOLVEMENT.”  In the Michigan trial, the government, using its subpoena power, seized and showed to the jury a half-dozen messages confiscated from Pennsylvania Congressman Scott Perry’s telephone that directly implicated Trump’s involvement in the plan to march to the Capitol and pressure VP Pence to throw out electoral votes won by Biden.  In one, a message back to Mr. Perry from a Trump administration official, it reads: “Spoken with the Don.  He heartily supports the Freedom Caucus’s plan to get people up front who will threaten to take Pence out if he doesn’t get with the plan.” 

     “This is the smoking gun, like the secret tapes that took down Nixon,” State’s Attorney Dana Nessel told the jury.  “You have no evidence except that President Trump was indeed part of the insurrection.”

     Meanwhile, also in Michigan, prison officials were taking note of the increasing number of visitors coming to see the Michigan Militia Men convicted of attempting to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer – among the many visitors were those who had been acquitted.

     By the end of April, the entire country was in high anxiety wondering how all this would end.  The primary season was mostly over – it looked like it was going to be a Trump vs. Biden repeat.  The criminal trials were wrapping up. 

     In fact, the case against Trump for election interference was now in the hands of the jury.  If convicted — would he be sentenced to prison?  Would he be out pending appeal or would he be campaigning from a jail cell?  What chaos will his supporters be causing in the streets? 

     Already at court houses in Michigan, Washington, D.C. and Atlanta, arrests had been made of Trump supporters insisting on being let into the courtroom carrying signs or even guns.  In New York City, on the first day of the trial accusing Trump of business fraud, Trump supporters attacked a group carrying signs reading “Lock Him Up!”  At political rallies across America, police were setting up barricades to separate those for and against Trump, those for and against the legal system. 

Chap. 6 – May and June

     On Friday, May 3, the jury returned a verdict of guilty in the election interference case.  Judge Chutkan set a sentencing date for 30 days later and allowed Trump to remain free on bail.  Of course, Trump’s lawyers immediately filed an appeal.  Most commentators believed there was little chance of Trump getting sentenced or locked-up – in any of his criminal cases – before the November election.

     On the campaign trail, Trump kept bashing the Democrats and the courts (Judge “Shit-Can” in particular) as an anti-democratic force trying to keep voters from having the chance to vote for him.  “Vote write-in if you have to.  We win if there is no second steal.  Don’t let the fraidy-cat Democrats and the pre-judging judges steal your right to vote!  We vote!  We fight!  We win!  You know what?  Even if they dare to lock me up, I will still win . . . and as President I can and will pardon myself and all Other PROUD Americans now locked-up!” 

     Meanwhile, Biden was getting little traction trying to talk about the real issues, such as an improved economy, organizing a unified NATO response to the war in Gaza, an immigration reform bill being recently signed into law, and his many other accomplishments dealing with Covid, reduced health care premiums, student debt relief, and combatting climate change.

     In fact, the nation’s lack of enthusiasm for a second Biden term, led to a behind-the-scenes conversation between former President Obama and Biden:

Obama: 

“Look Joe, get out while you’re on top.  History will remember you as a great President who restored the nation’s stability.  Turn the reigns over to a younger generation – we need that enthusiasm to beat Trump.”

Biden:

“No Brock, I’m the only one who can beat Trump.  Who the fuck do you have in mind?  Kamala is not ready to be President.  Her poll numbers are as bad as mine.  That pipsqueak Dean Phillips out of Minnesota got more primary votes than I expected, but he doesn’t have enough delegates to be a serious challenger.”

Obama:

“All right, see if you can turn this around.  But consider going to the Convention and on the first day announcing you are freeing up all your delegates to vote for anyone they choose.  That, by itself, will create the enthusiasm we need to win.  Gavel to gavel coverage, let the whole nation get involved in choosing.”

Chap. 7 – July

     The two big events in July were the Republican’s Convention and the Supreme Court’s scheduling a rehearing of the “Trump on the Ballot Case.”

     On July 15, led by the “Lincoln Republican Favorite Sons,” the Republican delegates voted, by a slim margin, to change the party rules to allow a reconvening of the Convention at the call of the chair.  Also, after a lengthy floor debate, they voted to allow a reconsideration of the parties’ nominee should the Supreme Court rule Trump disqualified.  The so-called “PROUD (to be an) INSURRECTIOIST CAUCUS” kept screaming “Let them do it!” arguing it would only further incite Trump’s base to get out and vote and “better prepare Proud Americans to do whatever it takes to make sure the Court’s steal doesn’t succeed.”

     On July 18, getting on towards midnight, in an alphabetical state-by-state vote, Wyoming’s favorite son candidate, Gov. Mark Gordon, released his thirteen delegates, and those thirteen voted for Trump, giving Trump the bare majority needed to win the nomination.

     On July 19 the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to rehear the January Trump case and issued an order consolidating all pending Trump appeals.  Once again ordering a consolidated hearing with in-courtroom television coverage, to start on August 12.  All fifty Secretaries of State were ordered to appear and describe what it would take to have Trump’s name on the November ballot.

     Once again, an anxious nation wondered what next?  Most legal scholars were of the opinion that the Court would vacate its previous order and rule that all except the criminal issues were more of a political question than a decision for the Supreme Court to make.  Justice Alito would have to give up his strict textualism arguments and agree the decision was too momentous and not susceptible to legal precedents.  Justices Sotomayer, Kagan and Jackson would have to be convinced that a ruling forbidding Trump to be on the ballot would be catastrophic.  Chief Justice Roberts worried that the decision would not be unanimous, but no matter what, a final ruling could not repeat the mostly derided Bush v. Gore December, 2000, decision where a splintered Court, divided along party lines, decided the election outcome, not the voters.

     Meanwhile, unbeknownst to the public, the FBI had uncovered evidence that a network of Proud Boys, organized out of a Michigan prison, were preparing to “march on the Court” should the decision go against Trump.  

Chap.  8 – August Through November in two alternatives: 

A. Democracy wins with an actual non-violent election

                                                           or

 B.  The coming of the Second Civil War

     The two big events in August were the August 12 Supreme Court hearing and the Democratic National Convention set to start August 19 in Chicago.

The Court Case

     The legal arguments on August 12, broadcast to a totally tuned-in nation, mostly focused on whether Trump was disqualified from being on the ballot.  The arguments as to reversing the criminal convictions seemed not well taken, the Court remarking about its high regard for our jury system of justice, and showing disdain for Trump’s arguments that he couldn’t get a fair trial – claiming the judges were biased Democrats; the jury pools were tainted – not a group of his peers, mostly from big cities with large numbers of Democrats and minorities.   

     Edward B. Foley, a law professor at Ohio State University, urged the Justices not to run scared.  “Your challenge is to not twist the law in a craven effort to appease an authoritarian movement that sees violence as the answer, win or lose.  Yes, it’s common place to think that voters, not courts, should determine who’s elected President, but it’s also essential to remember that the laws – including court rulings – structures the electoral choices voters face when they cast their ballot.  Trump has been found guilty of obstructing an election, of being part of an insurrection against the government.  He, therefore, is disqualified, having once been an ‘officer of the United States’ and taken the oath to uphold the Constitution.  The original, textual meaning of who is an officer of the United States must be read sensibly, naturally, and in context, without artifice that would render it a secret code loaded with hidden meanings.”

     Josh Blackman, a professor at South Texas College of Law, playing to Justice Alito, argued on textualist and originalist grounds that a president does not count as an officer of the United States.  “The language in the Constitution, ratified in 1788, includes language about oaths that distinguish between appointed executive branch officers – and presidents, who are elected.  This Court should find that presidents are not officers of the United States.  If it may please the Court, defer to voters and not interfere in the choices they can make.  This case is all about politics and the appropriate response is in politics.”

     The Court took the cases under advisement promising a quick decision.

The Democratic Convention

Alternative A

     On the first day of the Democratic National Convention, Joe Biden shocked the world saying he was not seeking, nor would he accept, the party’s nomination.  “It’s time for a younger generation to step forward.  It’s time for showing faith – that given the opportunity – the vast, vast majority of American voters will reject authoritarianism.  I hope the Supreme Court allows Trump to be on the ballot in all fifty states.  Bring it on!  Let’s see who wins!  I can live with myself knowing what I was able to accomplish in a lifetime of politics.

     “To me, the time is not right for two candidates, ages 80 and 77, a combined 157 years old, to be competing for the hearts and minds of the American electorate.  This needs to be a record setting year for voter turn out in all 50 states!  I could not live with myself knowing that a low turn-out, mostly tepid Democrats for me and livid Republicans for Trump, determined the future of America.”

     Former President Obama then strode to the microphone.  “I can offer a dozen names we could all get behind to replace Joe on the ballot.  Let me start with one, and then throw the floor open for other nominations:  Michelle Obama!

      Michelle Obama spoke from the floor: “I accept.  Let’s move on with the business of having a government of the people, by the people, for the people!  A democracy for all — and a democracy for all the ages!”

      Eventually, and before a television audience that outnumbered the JFK Funeral, the Apollo Landing and the last Super Bowl combined, the following names were put into nomination: Kamala Harris, Cory Booker, Gavin Newsom, Gretchen Whitmer, Hakeem Jeffries, Dean Phillips and Stacy Abrams.

    After three days and the most of three nights, the Democrats settled on Michelle Obama for President and Gavin Newsom for Vice President.

Alternative B

     The Democrats settled on Joe Biden.

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     The first big event in September was the September 3 Supreme Court Decision.

Alternative A

     On the Tuesday after Labor Day, the Court announced a per curiam unanimous decision, saying a full opinion would follow:

1. Trump is to appear on the ballot in all fifty states.
2. All of Trump’s criminal convictions are upheld.
3. All remaining Trump cases are returned to their respective jurisdictions to proceed apace.

     Thereafter, Judge Chutkan set November 11, the Monday following the election, as the date for Trump’s sentencing for his conviction on interfering with an election, the maximum penalty being five years in prison.  Commentators quickly compared that to the twenty-year sentences received by other January 6 convicted insurrectionists, not to mention that the death penalty applies to treasonous conduct.

Alternative B

     In an opinion written by Justice Alito – and joined by Justices Sotomayer, Kagan and Jackson – Trump was ruled disqualified from serving, having been an officer of the United States who took an oath to obey the Constitution, and then gave comfort to the enemies thereof.

     In a separate opinion, Chief Justice Roberts concurred with the result of disqualification but greatly lamented the lack of a unanimous decision, saying “The Founding Fathers understood the need for a separation of powers.  As an officer of the Court I am duty bound to follow the law.  The facts in this case are clear.  The law to be applied to this case is clear. The law of the land must be applied equally to all.   I deeply regret that this Court, not the voters, had the final say as to Donald Trump’s future, but my oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States must come first.”

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    The next big events in September should not have surprised anyone.

Alternative A

     After ruling that Trump could be on the ballot, a palpable relief shuddered through America, but also a sense we’d been bullied. 

     The faith in the people, the faith in the voters, as demonstrated by the bravery and courage of Chief Justice Roberts (and the entire Supreme Court), the shrewdness of Judge Chutkan, and the awareness and intelligence of Joe Biden – all this faith in the people caused an emotional uplifting throughout the country – a genuine sense of patriotism.  Democrats and Independents convened block parties across the land insisting everyone get registered and have a plan to vote.

     On the Republican side, canvassers were finding that many of those asked no longer feared a steal was in place, but now that they had a choice, they might not vote for Trump.

     Even Fox News began weighing in with worries about Trump’s chances, urging the Chair of the Republican National Committee, Ronna McDaniel, to reconvene the party’s nominating convention and be smart, like the Democrats, and nominate someone who could win – suggesting Nikki Haley could beat Michelle Obama. 

     Polling indicated that former “Forever Trumpers” were having second thoughts given his criminal convictions and learning all about the evidence of what he did and didn’t do, and all the lies he told.  “We’re not voting for another Obama, that’s for damn sure, but there are other choices besides Trump” was a common refrain.

     Justice Alito was overheard remarking, “This is the ultimate payback for a president who made sure we were pro-life before appointing us, and made sure we were strict textualists as well.”

Alternative B

     On September 10, a week after the Supreme Court ruled that the criminal proceedings against Trump could resume, Judge Shutkan sentenced Donald Trump to five years in prison and be taken immediately into the custody of federal marshals. 

     The fury that had been building since the previous week, following the Supreme Court ruling that Trump was disqualified, was now fully unleashed.  “We’re going to Washington D.C.  We’re going to have a rally that outdoes King’s 1963 March on Washington.  That’s a quarter million patriots we’re mustering.  BE THERE ON SATURDAY SEPT. 28” was posted on social media and on flyers being handed out at supermarkets across America.

    Privately, the Michigan Militia Men, were planning to surround the Supreme Court Building so as not to allow access, and demand the Court first stop the steal before any other business was conducted.  Even more privately, and unknown until it happened, a group was plotting to kidnap Judge Chutkan and have the ransom be the release of Trump from prison.

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     In October:  Mostly peaceful campaigning? Or turmoil turned to rioting?

Alternative A

      On September 25, after polling all 2,469 delegates, Ronna McDaniel, the Chair of the Republican Party, announced there would be no reconvening of the convention to potentially choose another candidate for the presidency.  Noting the throngs heading to Washington from all over the country, McDaniel said, “We’re sticking with our guy come hell or November.”

     During the month of October, Michelle Obama’s 2018 book titled “Becoming” reclaimed its spot as the #1 best seller in the nation.  Ladies Book Clubs from Tallahassee to Anchorage made it their next choice and marveled at this wonderful level-headed all-American woman, a wife, a mom, a presidential side-kick, and someone who could keep a husband ever-loving and the kids in school.

     On the campaign trail, Michelle Obama’s respect for all voters, all Americans, for democracy, contrasted starkly with Donald Trump’s calling everybody names and enemies, and continued bombast about making the country great under his authoritarianism rule.

Alternative B

     In Washington, D.C., following their September 28 rally, Trump’s supporters kept milling about, frustrated with the lack of action, their ineffectiveness.  Talking amongst themselves, the realization took hold that a write-in campaign wasn’t going to succeed, and they were actually going to be denied the chance to vote for Trump. 

     On October 3 Judge Chutkan was kidnapped on her way to work and a “ransom” note was delivered on social media: “President Biden must immediately pardon Donald Trump for his supposed crimes or Judge Shit-Can will never get another bite to eat.” 

     On October 5 the Trump supporters remaining in Washington, stormed the barricades surrounding the Supreme Court resulting in many injuries and hundreds of arrests – but this was not the biggest news of the day.  In Charleston, South Carolina, a group of Proud Boys quietly took over the State Capitol Building with help from Republican lawmakers and demanded that South Carolina secede from the union. 

     In the ensuing days, prison riots broke out in federal penitentiaries across the country causing President Biden to call out the National Guard to help overwhelmed prison guards.  “We’re not going to stand down and let another F***ing N***** become President” was the rioters’ rallying cry.

     For the rest of October, things remained in a stalemate.  Biden refused to pardon Trump and no one knew if Judge Chutkan was eating or not.  In several prisons, Black inmates were being beaten by white mobs, while authorities were handcuffed.  The acquitted Michigan Militia Men were rearrested, but no one was talking.  The South Carolina General Assembly faced a vote to secede from the Union.  It passed in the House but was not taken up in the Senate after South Carolina U.S. Senator Tim Scott, a Republican and a Black man, gave a speech saying, “I am not going to stand by and watch the second coming of a Civil War.  I am not going to stand by and let racial hatred once again rule the country.” 

     Following Sen. Scott’s speech, presidential candidate Nikki Haley, the former Governor of South Carolina, quickly called her own media conference, and together with a majority of the State Senators at her side, told the nation: “The State of South Carolina will not be seceding from the Union.  The State of South Carolina will be voting Nikki Haley for President on November 5.  The State of South Carolina will not, for the second time, be the State that starts a Civil War.  This craziness must stop.  A vote for me is a vote for reconciliation amongst all of us.  It is time to finally end the first Civil War.  Let South Carolina lead the way!”

     South Carolina U.S. Senator Lindsay Graham was noticeably absent.

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     Finally, Election Day Arrives

Alternative A

     Michelle Obama beats Trump in a record turn-out, especially among Independents, Lincoln Republicans, and first-time voters.

Alternative B

     On election day, Michelle Obama barely defeats Nikki Haley winning the popular vote by a wide margin, but in the Electoral College it stands as 271 for Obama and 267 for Haley. 

     No one was certain if the Electoral College vote would hold-up.  Would there once again be cry of a steal?  No, it got worse than that . . .

     On November 6, the day after the election, militant groups with guns took over the State Capitols in Montgomery, Alabama, and Jackson, Mississippi, meeting little police resistance.  “We are not leaving until we reestablish the Confederate States of America and make Donald Trump President of the New Confederacy,” they declared. 

      On November 7, President Biden pleaded with the Governors of Alabama and Mississippi to restore order using their State National Guards: “Federal forces are still trying to regain control of the prison system, I need help!”

     Replied the Governors, almost in unison: “Our State National Guards have enlisted too many insurrectionists.  They won’t arrest or shoot their brothers.  We need your help!”

     On November 10 President Biden was shot from a distance as he entered his armored car.  Dying in his hospital bed with his wife Jill and his VP Kamala at his side, he scribbled a note:  “Kamala, forget you weren’t nominated to succeed me.  You’re going to be President now and you have a chance to be the 21^st Century Abe Lincoln holding the Union together.”

     On November 11 Biden died and Kamala Harris took the oath to be the 46^th President of the United States.  Her first act was to order the Governors of Alabama and Mississippi to evacuate their state capitols as “I will bomb them to the ground if you don’t.” 

     President-Elect Michelle Obama went personally to Birmingham and Jackson, together with losing candidate Haley, and made clear the bombing threat was real.  They were met with gun fire.  Former President Obama was with them.  He counseled Michelle, “Talk to Kamala.  If they don’t leave and put down arms, our new President will have to declare war and call in the Army.  But tell Kamala, for chrissakes, not to bomb the capitol buildings – unless she’s sure there are no civilians in them – for example, Judge Chutkan.”

Chap. 9 – December

     Please God, don’t have it become a Second Civil War.

THE END

P.S. What does it feel like to you at the end of 2023?  Comment below.