A COUP HERE, A COUP THERE, COUPS EVERYWHERE

Coups are in the air. The failed Venezuela one the most recent.

There are references to coups. Donald Trump at a rally in Green Bay, Wisconsin described the Russian investigation as an attempted coup.

One definition of a coup is the sudden violent overthrow of an existing government by a small group. Chief prerequisite is control of all or a part of the military and police.

Another definition refers to a coup as an illegal, unconstitutional seizure of power by a dictator, the military, or a political faction.

A coup is known by several names. A coup d’etat, putsch, and golpe.

Two historical coups come to  mind. The Beer Hall Putsch and the March On Rome. Both led by authoritative figures.

The Beer Hall Putsch was led by Adolph Hitler. On November 8-9, 1923. The Nazi Party under leader Adolph Hitler failed to seize power. Hitler sentenced to jail for his participation.

Ten years later, Hitler was involved in another coup. This one peaceful. Hitler was growing in power in Germany. Demonstrations were occurring. Hitler encouraging them. The politicians unable to control what was happening.

Victor Emanuel III capitulated. He appointed Hitler Prime Minister.

Hitler came to power in what is described as a peaceful coup. He was voluntarily handed the reins of government. The date January 30, 1933.

From day one, Joseph Goebbels worked hand in hand with Hitler. A fierce supporter. He was Hitler’s Minister of Propaganda from 1933-1945.

Skilled in public speaking, he was a virulent anti-Semitic. He strongly supported the extermination of Jews in the Holocaust.

The world’s vision of him was a thin unsmiling man who combed his hair straight back.

He died in the bunker one day after Hitler died by poisoning his 6 children, killing his wife, and then himself.

Benito Mussolini came to power as a result of the March on Rome in October 1922. Mussolini’s Fascist Party marched on Rome beginning on October 22. By October 29, the coup was accomplished. King Emanuel appointed Mussolini Prime Minister, thereby transferring political power to the Fascists without serious armed conflict.

Mussolini had a son in law. Galeazzo Ciano. Married Mussolini’s daughter Edna in 1930.

Ciano distinguished himself in 1936 in the war against Ethiopia. He was a bomber pilot.

Ciano was recognized as Mussolini’s right hand man and likely successor.

He was appointed head of the Foreign Ministry. A few years later, Mussolini removed him and took over the foreign ministry duties himself. Ciano was removed because of his anti-war attitude. The removal took place during the World War itself.

Stepping back a few years, Mussolini hated Hitler. Ciano did not. He pushed for an Italian alliance with Germany.

After France fell, Ciano convinced Mussolini to have Italy join Hitler in the war. Italy thereafter negatively distinguished itself by being defeated in Greece and North Africa.

Ciano’s thinking changed with the defeats. He wanted Mussolini to make a peace agreement with the Allies. Mussolini did not agree and fired him.

Ciano joined with other member of the government in an attempt to remove Mussolini from power. The coup failed.

Mussolini considered Ciano’s actions a betrayal. Ciano was forced to flee for his life. He went to northern Italy where he was captured by pro-fascist forces.

Mussolini had Ciano charged with treason. Ciano was executed in January 1944 on father in law Mussolini’s direct orders. Mussolini ordered the execution under pressure from Hitler.

History repeats itself.

Hitler had Goebbels, Trump has Stephen Miller. Miller is a Senior advisor to Trump for Policy.

Goebbel’s Jews are Miller’s immigrants. Miller is a hardliner regarding immigrants. He has been chief architect of Trump’s travel ban, the administration’s reduction of refugees accepted into the U.S., and the policy of separating migrant children from their parents.

Miller also has a tendency to lie. He has made false and unsubstantiated claims regarding widespread electoral fraud.

Trump has his son in law Jared Kushner in the White House. Mussolini had his son in law Ciano in his administration. Ciano worked very closely with his father in law, as does Kushner with his.

Could a coup occur in the U.S.? Possibly so.

Assume Trump loses the election in 2020. Especially if he loses in a close race. He might refuse to leave the White House because the election was rigged from his perspective. A man who fails to recognize the Constitution in other respects might take the position he is still President. His record to date does not make such a consideration improbable.

Enjoy your Sunday!

 

 

 

 

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