[warner25]

I disagree with the premise that the US will be totally different tomorrow.

One characteristic of the US that differs from most other countries is the degree to which the states retain a lot of power to govern themselves, and states will continue doing what they do mostly independently of things at the Federal level.

The way that most Americans talk about the president also overstates the actual power of the office. I half-joked earlier today that most Americans seem to imagine this country as an autocracy in which they get to vote for a new ruler every four years. But it's not. Congress still has more power than the average person-on-the-street seems to realize. Part of what makes Trump taking office tomorrow a bigger deal is that he's also getting both houses of congress for the next two years, which isn't always the case, but we're seeing flashes of congressional Republicans being unwilling give up their powers to him.

Anyway, I also agree with the other answers about nuclear command and control and the dysfunction in congress, especially in terms of congress exercising its power to declare war.

[Spooky23]

The difference is that we have a would be king exempt from any consequences for criminal acts. The Supreme Court granted the office of the President immunity outside of impeachment. They’ve launched shitcoins to fleece the fanbase before taking office, so there’s obviously no hesitation.

All he needs to do is bribe spineless gop senators. No problem.

[gadders]

This is so tedious. Is HN going to be 4 years of this witless Trump Derangement Syndrome?