Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think the USA is on the verge of civil war?

257 replies

spitofyou · 19/01/2026 07:22

I was reading this morning about trump readying 1500 troops to deploy to Minnesota following the murder of Renee Good.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2026/01/18/trump-minnesota-insurrection-act/

If this goes through, that’s it right? The insurrection act means he can suspend elections, and the military will be fighting the American people.

AIBU to think it’s inevitable at this point? Trump will never back down.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
13
marsaline · 19/01/2026 07:29

He wants civil war imo. I also think he will move to take Greenland

MushMonster · 19/01/2026 07:29

I do not think so. Even if the US democracy is being put to test, I do not think they are close to a civil war.
They can impeach him, which I think will happen and this time he is likely to loose.
I do hope that there are no attacks on the Minnesota people. Where Trump is recruiting his agents does worry me because they are rough, arrogant, intimidating, petty and trigger happy. Not what you expect to come out of a full training as a federal officer, is it? I do not recall ever seen them being this way before Trump.

spitofyou · 19/01/2026 07:29

marsaline · 19/01/2026 07:29

He wants civil war imo. I also think he will move to take Greenland

I think so too. Civil and actual war to delay the elections and keep him in power as he dies.

It’s as clear as day that the man is suffering with some form of cognitive decline. He likely doesn’t have long left and he will do whatever he wants in what time he does have.

OP posts:
spitofyou · 19/01/2026 07:32

MushMonster · 19/01/2026 07:29

I do not think so. Even if the US democracy is being put to test, I do not think they are close to a civil war.
They can impeach him, which I think will happen and this time he is likely to loose.
I do hope that there are no attacks on the Minnesota people. Where Trump is recruiting his agents does worry me because they are rough, arrogant, intimidating, petty and trigger happy. Not what you expect to come out of a full training as a federal officer, is it? I do not recall ever seen them being this way before Trump.

Apparently they don’t do any background checks anymore. It’s terrifying.

But if the army is deployed I fear that’s it. The government will have essentially declared war on its own people.

OP posts:
Radiatorvalves · 19/01/2026 07:35

An American friend suggested I watch Civil War recently. Seriously chilling, and given the very divided nature and polarization it seems like it could happen - not just some ridiculous dystopian fantasy.

www.theguardian.com/film/2024/apr/14/civil-war-review-alex-garland-kirsten-dunst-wagner-moura-cailee-spaeny-stephen-mckinley-henderson-jesse-plemons-nick-offerman

MushMonster · 19/01/2026 07:41

They already managed to arrest at least 4 native Americans. You cannot make this out!
I watched the testimony of a US born young woman yesterday. She was followed home by an ICE agent on his car, one inch from her bumper she said, because she honked at them, alongside a group of people. Then he stepped out of the vehicle when she pulled by her home and threatened her. At least he did not shoot at her. But..... who gave a licence and a gun to a man who cannot take being honked at? And that would drive dangerously close to another driver to intimidate them- which should be against the road code indeed? It is batshit crazy!

spitofyou · 19/01/2026 07:43

MushMonster · 19/01/2026 07:41

They already managed to arrest at least 4 native Americans. You cannot make this out!
I watched the testimony of a US born young woman yesterday. She was followed home by an ICE agent on his car, one inch from her bumper she said, because she honked at them, alongside a group of people. Then he stepped out of the vehicle when she pulled by her home and threatened her. At least he did not shoot at her. But..... who gave a licence and a gun to a man who cannot take being honked at? And that would drive dangerously close to another driver to intimidate them- which should be against the road code indeed? It is batshit crazy!

One ICE agent arrested another Latin American ICE agent. It’s despicable. They’re apparently going to start going door to door. It seems most Americans are just willing to go along with it though

OP posts:
Whatafustercluck · 19/01/2026 07:53

While I agree that conditions in the US are the kind that trigger civil war, at the moment it's missing a key ingredient that all other civil wars have in common: a large, well structured and organised opposition to the government that is both willing (ideologically) and able (resources) to use violence in an effective and coordinated way. What we currently have is the ideology, but with uncoordinated and sporadic outbreaks of protest. I'm not saying it can't or won't happen, but at the moment any uprising would be quashed pretty quickly. An opposition in a civil war needs structure (leadership) and resources that currently aren't there.

Idontspeakgermansorry · 19/01/2026 07:55

My American DH thinks it will happen in the next 5-10 years. I hope not, but he's much more clued up on US politics than I am. He's generally very sensible so I don't know.

spitofyou · 19/01/2026 07:56

Whatafustercluck · 19/01/2026 07:53

While I agree that conditions in the US are the kind that trigger civil war, at the moment it's missing a key ingredient that all other civil wars have in common: a large, well structured and organised opposition to the government that is both willing (ideologically) and able (resources) to use violence in an effective and coordinated way. What we currently have is the ideology, but with uncoordinated and sporadic outbreaks of protest. I'm not saying it can't or won't happen, but at the moment any uprising would be quashed pretty quickly. An opposition in a civil war needs structure (leadership) and resources that currently aren't there.

Edited

This is a good point. I don’t know how they’re just ignoring what’s going on.

OP posts:
millymollymoomoo · 19/01/2026 07:58

totally agree with ICE

youre illegal you shouldn’t be in the country
simple as

spitofyou · 19/01/2026 08:00

millymollymoomoo · 19/01/2026 07:58

totally agree with ICE

youre illegal you shouldn’t be in the country
simple as

That’s not quite what they’re doing though is it? They’re shooting and arresting American citizens.

OP posts:
MindYourUsage · 19/01/2026 08:01

I'm really conflicted about whether or not to join the team meeting in the US (east coast) next week.

I want to see the team and will have serious FOMO if I do not go but I also feel morally repulsed going there as if Potus hasn't just threatened to march into Europe and take a country by force. (Can't believe I am even typing that tbh)

spitofyou · 19/01/2026 08:02

And then the rest of the world has to contend with the fact that this man is such an egomaniac he would destroy NATO because he didn’t win the peace prize.

Ironically, the only time article 5 has been invoked was after 9/11 and Europe suffered huge losses fighting for America.

To think the USA is on the verge of civil war?
OP posts:
MOntueslite · 19/01/2026 08:03

millymollymoomoo · 19/01/2026 07:58

totally agree with ICE

youre illegal you shouldn’t be in the country
simple as

And if innocent people get killed in the crossfire all the better hey!

One day people will open their eyes and see that governments blaming everything on immigrants is a ploy to distract. Oh don’t look here at what we are doing quick look over there, they speak a bit different you it’s them that’s the problem

araiwa · 19/01/2026 08:04

Release the Epstein files

LlynTegid · 19/01/2026 08:06

I don't think it is close to civil war at all. The use of troops is very selective and in a small number of places, and most people in the US are not affected at all.

Enrichetta · 19/01/2026 08:06

What @Whatafustercluck said. The lack of any real, coherent opposition is really depressing.

And, despite everything, at least half the population still supports Trump.

Moreover, a very large proportion are simply apathetic, don’t care, can’t be bothered - and have little or no knowledge of the outside world or awareness of what is actually going on.

spitofyou · 19/01/2026 08:07

LlynTegid · 19/01/2026 08:06

I don't think it is close to civil war at all. The use of troops is very selective and in a small number of places, and most people in the US are not affected at all.

Every single person in America (citizen, immigrant and tourist) would be affected. The government would be declaring war on the population.

OP posts:
FFSToEverythingSince2020 · 19/01/2026 08:08

DH and I both did politics of some form at university (him as a main focus, me as a secondary focus). The war has started. It started when fucking Trump just announced tariffs yesterday on NATO allies when they were just doing what he said SHOULD be done (ie that NATO protect Greenland). When Trump put out that Truth Social message implying that all the other members of NATO are suddenly suspect, DH and I both felt sick; that was the end of the world that we know, unless Trump’s government declares him incompetent immediately. A political podcast I listen to said it feels like the Cuban Missile Crisis. THAT message will be the beginning of WW3. Attached for those who haven’t seen it somehow. And I think your husband is being a bit too optimistic @Idontspeakgermansorry . We’re guessing within the next 12-24 months. Maybe sooner.
ATTACHED (in case they take a few minutes) photos of the Truth Social post.

To think the USA is on the verge of civil war?
To think the USA is on the verge of civil war?
To think the USA is on the verge of civil war?
To think the USA is on the verge of civil war?
spitofyou · 19/01/2026 08:10

FFSToEverythingSince2020 · 19/01/2026 08:08

DH and I both did politics of some form at university (him as a main focus, me as a secondary focus). The war has started. It started when fucking Trump just announced tariffs yesterday on NATO allies when they were just doing what he said SHOULD be done (ie that NATO protect Greenland). When Trump put out that Truth Social message implying that all the other members of NATO are suddenly suspect, DH and I both felt sick; that was the end of the world that we know, unless Trump’s government declares him incompetent immediately. A political podcast I listen to said it feels like the Cuban Missile Crisis. THAT message will be the beginning of WW3. Attached for those who haven’t seen it somehow. And I think your husband is being a bit too optimistic @Idontspeakgermansorry . We’re guessing within the next 12-24 months. Maybe sooner.
ATTACHED (in case they take a few minutes) photos of the Truth Social post.

His ramblings are very scary and expose his true motives

OP posts:
Sweetiedarling7 · 19/01/2026 08:15

Whatafustercluck · 19/01/2026 07:53

While I agree that conditions in the US are the kind that trigger civil war, at the moment it's missing a key ingredient that all other civil wars have in common: a large, well structured and organised opposition to the government that is both willing (ideologically) and able (resources) to use violence in an effective and coordinated way. What we currently have is the ideology, but with uncoordinated and sporadic outbreaks of protest. I'm not saying it can't or won't happen, but at the moment any uprising would be quashed pretty quickly. An opposition in a civil war needs structure (leadership) and resources that currently aren't there.

Edited

I agree or at least from what we hear over in the UK.
The US needs to organise structured opposition with military level ability. No idea how that could happen.
I have thought all along that the country may end up rather like occupied France in WW2 with armed resistance.

As regards impeachment as suggested by a previous poster, this will never work. Trump does not follow the rules of law or normality. Anyone who stands against him is in danger. I don’t see anything from the usual playbook stopping him.
All that might work is overwhelming force.

APatternGrammar · 19/01/2026 08:25

LlynTegid · 19/01/2026 08:06

I don't think it is close to civil war at all. The use of troops is very selective and in a small number of places, and most people in the US are not affected at all.

Would they have the numbers to have a presence everywhere, though? The intention could be to encourage compliance everywhere by showing strength in one city.

Underthinker · 19/01/2026 08:28

Enrichetta · 19/01/2026 08:06

What @Whatafustercluck said. The lack of any real, coherent opposition is really depressing.

And, despite everything, at least half the population still supports Trump.

Moreover, a very large proportion are simply apathetic, don’t care, can’t be bothered - and have little or no knowledge of the outside world or awareness of what is actually going on.

This sounds a lot like you actually want a civil war.

spitofyou · 19/01/2026 08:30

Underthinker · 19/01/2026 08:28

This sounds a lot like you actually want a civil war.

I think it would be devastating for the nation.

But trump is as dangerous, if not more, than putin. Something needs to be done.

OP posts: