As reported by NPR, military experts and state officials have conducted emergency simulations that suggest civil unrest during the upcoming election and its aftermath is a "realistic, if not likely, possibility," according to a new report from the University of Pennsylvania.
Retired General Joseph Votel, former head of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), says that widespread disinformation is dangerous because it could "rapidly accelerate" tensions and spark unrest.
The tabletop exercises, focused on Pennsylvania, explored two concerning scenarios:
- Voter fraud allegations in Lancaster County leading to out-of-control protests and poll closures
- A newly elected president illegally ordering the Pennsylvania National Guard to suppress protests in Philadelphia
The simulations revealed several vulnerabilities:
- Potential gaps in law enforcement preparation for election-related unrest
- Unclear lines between state and federal authority in handling civil disturbances
- Legal ambiguities in the military chain of command that could enable illegal orders
- Need for better training to help military personnel identify and reject unlawful commands
Votel said, "Our hope is that people who read the report will pay attention to this."
Obviously, no one knows who will win or what will happen, but the very tight margins between the candidates and the vast discrepancies between how they plan to run America if elected, mean that everyone is on edge. And with tensions rising as the election gets closer and closer, it might be naiive to believe that 'everything is gonna be ok."
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