The apparent election of two Georgia Democrats to the Senate, which would give the party unified control of the government, has been followed by a spike in calls for “civil war.”
From official perches, such as the pro-Trump rally in Washington on Wednesday morning, to internet chatrooms, the calls have gone public to take action to avenge the elections of the senators and Joe Biden.
I had two Georgia GOP voters tell me unprompted after November that they expected “civil war” and “World War III”.
I thought they were exaggerating. https://t.co/L9EnW5ZEhK
— Patricia Murphy (@1PatriciaMurphy) January 6, 2021
Much of the focus has been on the joint congressional session to challenge Electoral College votes.
Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani told a rally for the president near the White House, “Let’s have trial by combat.”
There is going to be a civil war . More than Half the Country does not accept The Fraud Biden . If they don’t fully investigate this fraud, trouble ahead !!!!
— ❌??Steve????America First????MAGA??KAG (@SJPFISH) January 6, 2021
And it’s not only a Democrat-Republican split.
Some Republicans on Twitter and elsewhere have targeted GOP leaders, including Vice President Mike Pence and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, for braking the challenges.
“The enemy is from within, not from without,” tweeted Michelle Malkin, for example.
The enemy is from within, not from without. https://t.co/H29WDbchyx
— Michelle Malkin (@michellemalkin) January 6, 2021
Donald Trump Jr. also fed “civil war” headlines when he threatened to support primary challengers to GOP lawmakers who do not fight for his father and challenge the 2020 vote that the president believes was rigged.
“They need to fight for Trump because if not, I’m gonna be in your backyard in a couple of months,” Don Jr. said, adding, “If you’re gonna be the zero and not the hero, we’re coming for you.”
Q: “Will you accept Joe Biden as President?”
GA Trump Supporter: “No he’ll never be my President.”
Q: “But you accept he’s going to be inaugurated?”
GA Trump Supporter: “No I don’t.”
Q: “How could that change at this point?”
GA Trump Supporter: “Well, could be a civil war.” pic.twitter.com/DhucJzZUN4
— The Hill (@thehill) January 6, 2021
The topic has been brewing for months as the president suggested during the campaign that Democrats were plotting to cheat in the election. The authoritative Battleground Poll, from Georgetown University’s Institute for Politics and Public Service, for example, found just a month before the election that 67% believed that the nation is nearing civil war.
On several social media and news sites with comment sections, civil war was a hot topic.
Others discussed preparing for political clashes in big cities.
