There is debate over the applicability of the term, even amongst experts. This is the first thing that comes up on a Google search: https://news.virginia.edu/content/qa-was-attack-capitol-coup-what-happens-now-expert-responds Q. In legal terms, do you view what happened Jan. 6 as a coup? Something else? A. I wouldn’t describe the violent mob attack on the Capitol as a “coup,” although it might have been part of an attempt at one. I think a coup requires more systematic seizure of power, usually by the military or by paramilitary groups. But the rioters who stormed the Capitol might have thought they were trying to overthrow the government, and they succeeded in temporarily disrupting a critical part of our democratic process, which was the counting of electoral votes. Some officials have called what happened an “insurrection” and a “seditious conspiracy,” both of which are punishable under federal law. Those seem like better descriptions to me. Also: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/07/...o-but-that-it-could-be-just-as-dangerous.html Call them rioters. Or armed insurrectionists. But Erica de Bruin, a political scientist who literally wrote the book on how to prevent coups, said she would not call it a coup. “I don’t object to anyone wanting to use the term ‘coup’ at this point,” she said in an interview. “The word coup conveys seriousness, and I don’t want to police the language of politicians or activists or those trying to oppose Trump’s actions. But I don’t think we’re there yet.” The crucial factor, she said, is that a coup attempt requires force or the threat of force from an organized armed group, usually, though not necessarily, a military. And while many in the violent mob of President Trump’s supporters that stormed the Capitol building on Wednesday were armed, they did not appear to be part of any organized paramilitary organization. Naunihal Singh, a professor at the Naval War College whose research focuses on coups, said he did not think this was a coup because President Trump encouraged the insurrectionists in his capacity as head of their movement, but did not do so via the powers of the president. “We can deal with this sort of power grab far more easily than one which uses presidential authority, if we’re willing to treat him the same way we would treat any regular citizen doing the same,” he said. (Dr. Singh spoke in his personal capacity.) It's healthy to consider opposing points of view without attacking people's intelligence or accusing them of arguing in bad faith.
Except when they've consistently posted stupid things and argued in bad faith in the past. Not referring to you in particular to be clear. The issue I see here is that some are equating coup with it being successful. So whether you want to refer to it as a failed coup or an attempted coup it doesn't really change the issue much in that Trump and his gang attempted a coup. Failed coup, sedition, subversion, all fine with me. We'll find out who within the government was complicit.
It's like they're arguing it's kind of a half-court heave at the end of a quarter. Should such low-probability desperation really count as another shot attempt? Answer: yes, especially when it goes out of bounds and... kills people.
OK. FWIW, here's Fiona Hill with her argument for why it is a coup (she calls it a "self coup"): https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2021/01/11/capitol-riot-self-coup-trump-fiona-hill-457549
This is a good article but she leaves out the Capitol Police being involved. I also think she gives Trump a little too much credit for laying the groundwork years in advance. He’s a boundary pusher. His real ‘plan’ wasn’t moving until he replaced the pentagon officials.
I think what pisses me off most is that Trump wasn't deemed unfit to serve months ago when his lying became deadly and dangerous. It wasn't a couple times. It was several times a day all over social media and at press conferences. Lie lie lie about the virus. Lie lie lie about masks and the severity of the virus. Lie lie lie about voting, mail in voting, and absentee voting. He did EVERYTHING in his power to strongarm all these GOP leaders into backing his lies and doing as he wanted to open up, not enforce restrictions, suppress the vote, and follow his lead. Everything Trump did all year long was a power play to enrich himself and to try and ensure a win by lying, cheating, and stealing. I still wonder what the hell Putin has on Trump. He has completely ignored too many serious actions against our country by Putin. Cruz, Abbott, Paxton and Crenshaw all need to go. They are ALL Trump toy soldiers and disgust me.
