In a disturbing revival of the “Stop the Steal” movement, MAGA extremists are laying the groundwork for potential widespread violence if Donald Trump fails to win the 2024 election.
Activists who sought to overturn the results of the 2020 election are reportedly crafting a detailed strategy to challenge any unfavorable outcomes, warning that January 6, 2025, could be a repeat of the violence witnessed at the Capitol.
As reported by CNN, far-right operatives have been fostering a narrative that only election fraud can explain a Trump loss, with plans to obstruct Kamala Harris’s potential victory through litigation, pressure tactics against lawmakers, organized protests, and possibly armed conflict.
Ivan Raiklin, a former Green Beret with ties to Trump, ominously stated at a recent gathering, “I have a plan and strategy. And then January 6th is going to be pretty fun,” suggesting a call to arms.
This organized effort is amplified by Trump’s inner circle, who continue to promote unfounded claims of voter fraud across various platforms, including megachurch sermons and popular podcasts. Some Trump supporters, invoking apocalyptic rhetoric, have framed the election as a battle between good and evil, with Harris cast as a villainous figure.
Michael Flynn, Donald Trump’s former national security adviser, said on a program last week that he thought Trump would win all 50 states if there’s a fair election but offered a grim prediction if the winner remains unknown for days.
“I feel like people are going to go to those locations where there’s counting and there could actually be violence because people are going to be, people are so upset after 2020,” said Flynn, who four years ago called for civil war over Trump’s defeat.
Trump himself has promoted conspiracy theories pushed by his supporters, suggesting that election fraud is rampant in 2024. But party officials have struck a different tone.
Unlike the ad hoc chaos of 2020, this time MAGA extremists are proactively planning to undermine the election. Some propose that state legislatures should ignore actual vote counts and award electoral votes to Trump instead. This follows recent legislation aimed at making it more difficult to overturn certified election results, which experts warn will not deter this more coordinated and extreme movement.
The MAGA narrative has become increasingly conspiratorial, with figures like right-wing broadcaster Emerald Robinson claiming, “Yes, the steal is happening again,” and former Overstock CEO Patrick Byrne issuing dire warnings about imminent cyberattacks. Prominent pastors have also been inciting fear, predicting catastrophic events designed to manipulate election outcomes.
Greg Locke, a prominent Tennessee pastor and MAGA fanatic who spoke near the Capitol the day before the January 6 riot, told his followers in a sermon earlier this month that the US would be hit with “a catastrophic storm that is going to be man-made” in the days before the election, as an apparent method of stealing the vote.
“If Kamala wins this election, hear me when I tell you, we will never have another one,” he told his congregation.
Federal law enforcement agencies are raising alarms about potential violence, echoing warnings from a recent Department of Homeland Security bulletin that extremist rhetoric could incite unrest similar to that seen during the last election cycle.
Marc Harris, a former investigator for the January 6 select committee, expressed concern over the evolution of tactics among those seeking to overturn election results, noting that pro-democracy advocates must also be prepared for an unprecedented challenge.
“Those looking to overturn the election are way ahead of where they were in 2020,” he said. “But on the flip side, the pro-democracy defenders are also more prepared. How that shakes out is not clear to me.”
Despite assurances from Republican officials that American elections are secure, the extremist rhetoric is gaining traction. Some pro-Trump activists have begun to coalesce around the idea of state legislators allocating electors directly to Trump, disregarding popular vote totals. This has led to backlash from legal experts, who highlight the impracticality and illegality of such maneuvers.
The stakes are high, with incidents of political violence already reported this year, including assassination attempts on Trump and threats against election officials. As the election approaches, former national security adviser Michael Flynn warned of potential violence surrounding vote counting, stating, “People are so upset after 2020.”
The overall atmosphere is fraught with tension, as extremist groups are reportedly mobilizing for conflict in the aftermath of the election. Posts on fringe message boards indicate a disturbing rise in calls for violence and preparation for what some see as an impending civil war.
As the election looms, it is clear that the stakes have never been higher. Extremist rhetoric continues to escalate, with some calling for action “by any means necessary” to prevent a Harris presidency. As these groups gear up for what they deem a final battle, the potential for violence and unrest looms large, raising serious questions about the future of American democracy.
