Democrats and Republicans met to wargame scenarios they say 'not unrealistic'

In a recent event held in a Washington DC-area hotel, political insiders from both parties participated in a series of tabletop exercises simulating a potential second presidency of Donald Trump. Organized under the Democracy Futures Project, these nonpartisan simulations aimed to explore possible authoritarian actions Trump might take if re-elected, including invoking the Insurrection Act to suppress protests and politicizing federal agencies against political opponents. Approximately 175 participants, including former officials and community leaders, role-played various scenarios that reflected real concerns about the future of democracy in the U.S.

The exercises were prompted by the increasing urgency surrounding the upcoming elections, particularly after recent events that have emboldened Trump. Participants expressed alarm over the lack of preparation for potential abuses of power, with some noting that the military's reliability in a Trump-led administration could be questionable. The simulations highlighted fears that Trump could leverage military force against civil unrest and target political adversaries through aggressive legal actions.

The discussions underscored a growing anxiety among political figures about the implications of a Trump presidency, with many participants emphasizing the need for protective measures to safeguard democratic institutions. The role-playing scenarios, while hypothetical, were grounded in statements and actions from Trump and his allies, raising serious questions about the future of governance and civil liberties in the United States.