Peaceful transition of power

File:1st_Inaugural_Address-_President_Reagans_Inaugural_Address_1-20-81.webm is sworn in as president of the United States in a symbolic peaceful transfer of power in 1981.]]

In scholarship examining democratization and emerging democracies, study of the successful transitions of power is used to understand the transition to constitutional democracy and the relative stability of that government (democratic consolidation).{{Cite journal|last=Graham|first=Emmanuel|date=July 2017|title=The Third Peaceful Transfer of Power and Democratic Consolidation in Ghana|url=https://www.jpanafrican.org/docs/vol10no5/10.5-8-Graham.pdf|journal=Africology: The Journal of Pan African Studies|volume=10|issue=5|pages=99–127|access-date=25 September 2020|archive-date=11 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200711212222/http://www.jpanafrican.org/docs/vol10no5/10.5-8-Graham.pdf|url-status=live}}{{Cite journal|last=Tamarkin|first=M.|date=1979|title=From Kenyatta to Moi: The Anatomy of a Peaceful Transition of Power|journal=Africa Today|volume=26|issue=3|pages=21–37|jstor=4185874|issn=0001-9887}}{{Cite journal|last=Mangu|first=Andre Mbata B.|date=1 June 2004|title=DR Congo: the long road from war to peace and challenges for peaceful transition and national reconstruction|url=https://journals.co.za/content/afrins/34/2_3/EJC17396|journal=Africa Insight|language=en|volume=34|issue=2_3|pages=31–38|issn=0256-2804|access-date=25 September 2020|archive-date=9 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009143212/https://journals.co.za/content/afrins/34/2_3/EJC17396/|url-status=live}}{{Cite journal|last=Ahmed|first=Jasem Mohamad|date=2012|title=Democracy and the problem of peaceful transfer of power|url=https://www.iasj.net/iasj/article/39844|journal=Journal of Al-Frahedis Arts|language=en|volume=04|issue=10|access-date=25 September 2020|archive-date=9 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009143217/https://www.iasj.net/iasj/article/39844/|url-status=live}}

A 2014 study by Adam Przeworski of 3,000 elections from 1788 to 2008, published in the journal Comparative Political Studies concluded that 68 countries (including Russia and China) had never had a peaceful transition of power between parties following an election, making it a "rare and a recent practice."{{Cite journal|last=Przeworski|first=Adam|date=1 January 2015|title=Acquiring the Habit of Changing Governments Through Elections|journal=Comparative Political Studies|language=en|volume=48|issue=1|pages=101–129|doi=10.1177/0010414014543614| s2cid=154441890 |issn=0010-4140}} {{subscription required}}{{Cite web|date=26 November 2014|title=Peaceful transitions of power have been rare in modern states, but once the habit has been acquired it sticks|url=https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/europpblog/2014/11/26/peaceful-transitions-of-power-have-been-rare-in-modern-states-but-once-the-habit-has-been-acquired-it-sticks/|access-date=25 September 2020|website=EUROPP|archive-date=9 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009143141/https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/europpblog/2014/11/26/peaceful-transitions-of-power-have-been-rare-in-modern-states-but-once-the-habit-has-been-acquired-it-sticks//|url-status=live}} The same study found that once a country has an initial peaceful transfer of power (an "alternation"), it is very likely to keep doing so, making the peaceful transition of power a habit-forming activity. In a stable institutionalized democracy, a peaceful transition is the expected outcome of an election.

Peaceful transitions require a number of strong democratic institutions and norms to exist, such as the willingness of opposition parties to serve as a loyal opposition. Transitions by election put power holders in vulnerable positions, as not only do they risk potential changes in policy and practice and thus their means of power, but they also risk political retribution or retaliation.{{Cite journal|last=Sutter|first=Daniel|date=1995|title=Settling Old Scores: Potholes along the Transition from Authoritarian Rule|journal=The Journal of Conflict Resolution|volume=39|issue=1|pages=110–128|doi=10.1177/0022002795039001005|jstor=174324| s2cid=145445935 |issn=0022-0027}}

{{Clear}}

The first peaceful transition of power in a country is often treated as an important stage in a government transition towards democracy such as seen in elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.{{Cite journal|date=1 February 2017|title=First peaceful transfer of power possible in the DRC: regional focus - East Africa|url=https://journals.co.za/content/journal/10520/EJC-55c9a84d1|journal=Africa Conflict Monitor|language=en|volume=2017|issue=Feb 2017|pages=35–39|issn=2311-6943|access-date=25 September 2020|archive-date=9 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009143236/https://journals.co.za/content/journal/10520/EJC-55c9a84d1/|url-status=live}} Successful transitions during tense political moments such as the Velvet Revolution in Armenia in 2018 are interpreted as signs of improved governance within the country, an important milestone in democratization and functioning civil society.{{Cite journal|last=Yayloyan|first=Diana|date=28 February 2019|title=A Peaceful Transition of Power and Public's Expectations in Armenia|url=https://think-asia.org/handle/11540/10015|language=en|journal=Economic Policy Research Foundation of Turkey|via=Think-Asia|access-date=25 September 2020|archive-date=9 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009143251/https://think-asia.org/handle/11540/10015/|url-status=live}} Alternately, the lack of peaceful transfers of power, such as in elections in Georgia from 1995 to 2008 in which the only transition between presidents was via the 2003 Rose Revolution, may harm the international reputation of the country as a "democracy".

Since achieving independence from European colonial powers, Africa has had a mixed record in achieving peaceful transitions of power, with variations among nations.{{Cite web |title=Power transitions in Africa |url=https://www.brookings.edu/events/power-transitions-in-africa/ |date=November 27, 2018 |first1=Michael |last1=O’Hanlon |first2=Reuben |last2=Brigety |first3=Ken |last3=Opalo |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=Brookings |language=en-US |archive-date=11 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911173344/https://www.brookings.edu/events/power-transitions-in-africa/ |url-status=live }}

The first peaceful transition of power between civilians in Nigeria took place in 2007, although the outgoing and incoming presidents were of the same party and the preceding election was characterized by widespread irregularities.{{Cite news |title=A First in Nigeria: A Peaceful Succession of Power |website=The New York Times |agency=Associated Press |date=May 30, 2007 |language=en |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/30/world/africa/30nigeria.html |access-date=2023-08-10 |archive-date=11 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911174550/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/30/world/africa/30nigeria.html |url-status=live }} In 2018, Liberia had its first electoral transfer of power since 1944.Tomas F. Husted, "[https://sgp.fas.org/crs/row/R46226.pdf Liberia: Background and U.S. Relations]", Congressional Research Service (February 14, 2020), p. 5. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911175556/https://sgp.fas.org/crs/row/R46226.pdf |date=11 September 2021 }}. The first peaceful transition of power in the Democratic Republic of the Congo took place in 2019, with outgoing president Joseph Kabila yielding power to opposition leader Felix Tshisekedi.{{Cite news |title=New Congo president marks first peaceful transfer of power |work=Christian Science Monitor |url=https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Africa/2019/0124/New-Congo-president-marks-first-peaceful-transfer-of-power |first1= Saleh |last1=Mwanamilongo |agency=Associated Press |date=January 24, 2019 |access-date=2023-08-10 |issn=0882-7729 |archive-date=11 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911173454/https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Africa/2019/0124/New-Congo-president-marks-first-peaceful-transfer-of-power |url-status=live }} The first transition of power from one democratically elected leader to another in Niger took place in 2021, briefly overcoming the nation's history of coups d'etatDalatou Mamane, "[https://apnews.com/article/constitutions-africa-niamey-west-africa-mali-8ac9e1c7a2c62bfe8395d966b8199888 Niger inaugurates president in 1st democratic power transfer]", Associated Press (April 2, 2021). {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911173348/https://apnews.com/article/constitutions-africa-niamey-west-africa-mali-8ac9e1c7a2c62bfe8395d966b8199888 |date=11 September 2021 }}. before another military coup occurred in 2023.{{Cite web |title=Niger's president 'held by guards' in apparent coup attempt |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/7/26/soldiers-holding-niger-president-inside-palace-security-sources |access-date=2024-01-08 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}

;Symbolism

{{more citations needed|section|date=December 2022}}

The symbol of peaceful transition of power is when the outgoing president and/or vice president, after their respective successors recite the oath of office, switch chairs, so that the incumbent president is on the furthest left side of the altar at the People's Consultative Assembly main session's room, and the sitting vice president is immediately on the right side of the speaker and deputies speaker's desk. {{As of|2022}}, starting in 1978, the vice presidents always did this symbolic transfer when there was no vacancy in the office except in 2004, when Hamzah Haz did not attend the ceremony, and in 2009, when Jusuf Kalla was already seated on the furthest right side so no switch was needed. For presidents, {{as of|2025|lc=yes}}, this symbol of peaceful transition happened only three times, in 1999 during the inauguration of Abdurrahman Wahid, in 2014 for the first inauguration of Joko Widodo, and 2024 for the inauguration of Prabowo Subianto.

The transfer of power resulting from the 2012 Georgian parliamentary election was considered an important case of peaceful transfer of power in the post-Soviet political development of Georgia, which, since the Soviet period, had earlier gone through changes such as the Rose Revolution in 2003.{{Cite journal|title=Peaceful transfer of political power and its characteristics in Georgia. The Georgian parliamentary elections of 2012|url=https://ibn.idsi.md/en/vizualizare_articol/45776|access-date=25 September 2020|website=Instrument Bibliometric National |last1=Giorgi |first1=Benashvili }}

{{See also|Attempts to overturn the 2020 United States presidential election}}

A peaceful transition of power has historically been the norm in United States presidential transitions, with all elections resulting in peaceful transitions of power from 1801 until 2021. The transition from John Adams to Thomas Jefferson in 1801 was considered an important milestone for the country's fledgling democracy. It was the first time the presidency was handed over to a political opponent. From then until 2020, the losing party in every presidential election "willingly and peacefully" relinquished power to the opposition.{{Cite web|last=Pruitt|first=Sarah|title=How the Peaceful Transfer of Power Began With John Adams|url=https://www.history.com/news/peaceful-transfer-power-adams-jefferson|access-date=7 January 2021|website=HISTORY|language=en|archive-date=14 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114214733/https://www.history.com/news/peaceful-transfer-power-adams-jefferson|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|date=3 January 2021|title=All 10 living former defense secretaries: Involving the military in election disputes would cross into dangerous territory|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/10-former-defense-secretaries-military-peaceful-transfer-of-power/2021/01/03/2a23d52e-4c4d-11eb-a9f4-0e668b9772ba_story.html|url-status=live|access-date=6 January 2021|archive-date=6 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106223350/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/10-former-defense-secretaries-military-peaceful-transfer-of-power/2021/01/03/2a23d52e-4c4d-11eb-a9f4-0e668b9772ba_story.html}} The transition is institutionalized through symbolic acts like the presidential inaugurations.{{Cite web|date=18 November 2016|title=Peaceful Transition of Power|url=https://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2000/winter/inaugurations|access-date=25 September 2020|website=National Archives|language=en|archive-date=9 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009143318/https://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2000/winter/inaugurations/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|author=Jacey Fortin|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/19/us/politics/presidents-who-skipped-inaugurations.html|newspaper=New York Times|date=January 19, 2021|title=Trump Is Not the First President to Snub an Inauguration|access-date=11 September 2021|archive-date=25 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125024141/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/19/us/politics/presidents-who-skipped-inaugurations.html|url-status=live}} Outgoing U.S. presidents traditionally attend the inaugurations of their successors, a symbol of the peaceful passage of power from one administration to the next.{{Cite web |author-first1=Joey|author-last1=Garrison|title=A president hasn't refused to attend the inauguration of his successor in 152 years. Donald Trump will change that |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2021/01/08/trump-first-outgoing-president-skip-inauguration-152-years/6596286002/ |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US |archive-date=16 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616200731/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2021/01/08/trump-first-outgoing-president-skip-inauguration-152-years/6596286002/ |url-status=live }} Historically contentious elections, such as the 2000 election between George W. Bush and Al Gore, did not derail this peaceful transition process. Despite the contested results and the subsequent Supreme Court ruling that ultimately determined the outcome, the tradition of the losing party accepting the result and facilitating a smooth handover of power endured. With Gore making especially sure that the results of the elections were respected and ensured, Bush was accepted as President by his supporters despite the various continuous legal battles. This concept of "loser’s consent" plays a vital role in maintaining democratic stability:{{cite journal | url=https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/00027162241229309 | doi=10.1177/00027162241229309 | title=Political Parties and Loser's Consent in American Politics | date=2023 | last1=Layman | first1=Geoffrey | last2=Lee | first2=Frances | last3=Wolbrecht | first3=Christina | journal=The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science | volume=708 | pages=164–183 }} political parties in the U.S. have come to accept electoral defeat as part of the democratic process, reinforcing the idea that the legitimacy of the electoral system depends on the willingness of political actors to adhere to its outcomes.

During the 2020 presidential election, experts described a risk of democratic backsliding in the U.S.,{{cite web|title=Is the U.S. at Risk of Mirroring Hungary's Democratic Backsliding?|url=https://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/articles/29144/is-the-u-s-at-risk-of-mirroring-hungary-s-democratic-backsliding|access-date=15 November 2020|website=www.worldpoliticsreview.com|date=19 October 2020 |archive-date=14 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114214714/https://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/articles/29144/is-the-u-s-at-risk-of-mirroring-hungary-s-democratic-backsliding|url-status=live}}{{cite journal|last1=Bauer|first1=Michael W|last2=Becker|first2=Stefan|date=2 March 2020|title=Democratic Backsliding, Populism, and Public Administration|url=https://academic.oup.com/ppmg/article/3/1/19/5698480|journal=Perspectives on Public Management and Governance|language=en|volume=3|issue=1|pages=19–31|doi=10.1093/ppmgov/gvz026|issn=2398-4910|doi-access=free|access-date=15 November 2020|archive-date=14 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114214737/https://academic.oup.com/ppmg/article/3/1/19/5698480|url-status=live|hdl=1814/69472|hdl-access=free}} as incumbent Republican President Donald Trump publicly refused to commit to a peaceful transfer of power if he lost his reelection bid.{{cite web|last=Breuninger|first=Kevin|date=23 September 2020|title=Trump won't commit to peaceful transfer of power if he loses the election|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/09/23/trump-wont-commit-to-peaceful-transfer-of-power-if-he-loses-the-election.html|access-date=25 September 2020|website=CNBC|language=en|archive-date=9 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009143328/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/09/23/trump-wont-commit-to-peaceful-transfer-of-power-if-he-loses-the-election.html/|url-status=live}} In September 2020, after Trump's statements, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a resolution committing to a peaceful transition of power and opposing any attempt "by the President or any person in power to overturn the will of the people of the United States"; many senators cited the peaceful transition of power's centrality to U.S. democracy.{{cite web|title=Unanimous Senate commits to peaceful transfer of power after Trump refuses|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/unanimous-senate-commits-peaceful-transfer-power-trump-refuses/story?id=73216758|access-date=25 September 2020|website=ABC News|language=en|archive-date=9 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009143334/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/unanimous-senate-commits-peaceful-transfer-power-trump-refuses/story?id=73216758%2F|url-status=live}} Business leaders also made statements calling for a peaceful transfer.{{cite news|date=7 November 2020|title=US business leaders call for peaceful transfer of power|url=https://www.ft.com/content/0df2cc72-69e8-41a1-925a-b0bd4a9aec15|access-date=15 November 2020|work=Financial Times|archive-date=14 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114214716/https://www.ft.com/content/0df2cc72-69e8-41a1-925a-b0bd4a9aec15|url-status=live|url-access=subscription}} Trump stated on 15 October 2020 that he would accept a peaceful transfer (after a long period of ambiguous answers to the question) while still falsely alleging fraud.{{cite web |author=Alison Main |date=16 October 2020 |title=Trump says he would accept peaceful transfer of power but casts doubt on election results |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/15/politics/donald-trump-election-integrity/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114214651/https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/15/politics/donald-trump-election-integrity/index.html |archive-date=14 January 2021 |access-date=15 November 2020 |website=CNN}}

Trump was defeated in the 2020 election by Joe Biden in both the popular vote and the electoral vote, but refused to accept defeat. Trump falsely claimed election fraud, initiated a seven-part plan to overturn the election, and engaged in an aggressive and unprecedented{{Cite web |first1=Anita |last1=Kumar |first2=Gabby |last2=Orr |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/12/21/trump-pressure-campaign-overturn-election-449486 |newspaper=Politico |title=Inside Trump's pressure campaign to overturn the election |date=December 21, 2020 |quote=Trump's efforts to cling to power are unprecedented in American history. While political parties have fought over the results of presidential elections before, no incumbent president has ever made such expansive and individualized pleas to the officials who oversee certification of the election results. |access-date=11 September 2021 |archive-date=22 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222010353/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/12/21/trump-pressure-campaign-overturn-election-449486 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |first=David E. |last=Sanger |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/19/us/politics/trump-election.html |newspaper=The New York Times |title=Trump's Attempts to Overturn the Election Are Unparalleled in U.S. History |date=November 19, 2020 |quote=President Trump's attempts to overturn the 2020 election are unprecedented in American history and an even more audacious use of brute political force to gain the White House than when Congress gave Rutherford B. Hayes the presidency during Reconstruction. |access-date=11 September 2021 |archive-date=20 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120013100/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/19/us/politics/trump-election.html |url-status=live }} campaign to remain in power.Multiple sources:

• {{Cite web |url=https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-joe-biden-donald-trump-local-elections-arizona-7174555c2545f8afb69f0ce2ac0b2156 |first1=Zeke |last1=Miller |first2=Colleen |last2=Long |first3=David |last3=Eggert |title=Trump tries to leverage power of office to subvert Biden win |date=November 20, 2020 |website=Associated Press |access-date=December 8, 2020 |archive-date=November 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128185032/https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-joe-biden-donald-trump-local-elections-arizona-7174555c2545f8afb69f0ce2ac0b2156 |url-status=live}}
• {{Cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/19/us/politics/trump-michigan-election.html |title=Trump Targets Michigan in His Ploy to Subvert the Election |first1=Maggie |last1=Haberman |first2=Jim |last2=Rutenberg |first3=Nick |last3=Corasaniti |first4=Reid J. |last4=Epstein |date=November 20, 2020 |work=The New York Times |access-date=December 8, 2020 |archive-date=December 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202011626/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/19/us/politics/trump-michigan-election.html |url-status=live}}
• {{Cite web |url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/trump-presses-georgia-governor-to-help-subvert-election-11607207645 |url-access=subscription |date=December 5, 2020 |title=Trump presses Georgia governor to help subvert election |agency=Associated Press |website=MarketWatch |access-date=December 8, 2020 |archive-date=December 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208201032/https://www.marketwatch.com/story/trump-presses-georgia-governor-to-help-subvert-election-11607207645 |url-status=live}}
• {{Cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/2020/11/16/935465631/the-growing-backlash-against-trumps-efforts-to-subvert-the-election |date=November 20, 2020 |title=The Growing Backlash Against Trump's Efforts To Subvert The Election: Consider This from NPR |publisher=NPR |access-date=December 8, 2020 |archive-date=December 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202024601/https://www.npr.org/2020/11/16/935465631/the-growing-backlash-against-trumps-efforts-to-subvert-the-election |url-status=live}}
• {{Cite web |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/07/politics/house-republicans-trump-biden/index.html |date=December 7, 2020 |title=House conservatives urge Trump not to concede and press for floor fight over election loss |first1=Manu |last1=Raju |first2=Jeremy |last2=Herb |work=CNN |access-date=December 8, 2020 |archive-date=December 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208201025/https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/07/politics/house-republicans-trump-biden/index.html |url-status=live}}
• {{Cite web |last=Snyder |first=Timothy |date=January 9, 2021 |title=The American Abyss |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/09/magazine/trump-coup.html |access-date=February 9, 2021 |newspaper=The New York Times |archive-date=14 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114035347/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/09/magazine/trump-coup.html |url-status=live }}
• {{Cite web |last=Ben-Ghiat |first=Ruth |date=January 26, 2021 |title=Opinion: Trump's big lie wouldn't have worked without his thousands of little lies |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/25/opinions/big-lie-ben-ghiat/index.html |website=CNN |access-date=11 September 2021 |archive-date=22 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022014334/https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/25/opinions/big-lie-ben-ghiat/index.html |url-status=live }}
• {{Cite web |first1=Jan |last1=Wolfe |first2=Susan |last2=Heavey |date=January 25, 2021 |title=Trump lawyer Giuliani faces $1.3 billion lawsuit over 'big lie' election fraud claims |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-usa-election-dominion-idUKKBN29U206 |work=Reuters |access-date=11 September 2021 |archive-date=23 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023173535/https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-usa-election-dominion-idUKKBN29U206 |url-status=live }}
• {{Cite web |last=Block |first=Melissa |date=2021-01-16 |title=Can The Forces Unleashed By Trump's Big Election Lie Be Undone? |url=https://www.npr.org/2021/01/16/957291939/can-the-forces-unleashed-by-trumps-big-election-lie-be-undone |website=NPR |access-date=11 September 2021 |archive-date=28 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211128071931/https://www.npr.org/2021/01/16/957291939/can-the-forces-unleashed-by-trumps-big-election-lie-be-undone |url-status=live }}
• {{Cite web |last=Pilkington |first=Ed |date=January 24, 2021 |title=Donald Trump is gone but his big lie is a rallying call for rightwing extremists |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/24/donald-trump-big-lie-american-democracy |access-date=February 9, 2021 |website=The Guardian |archive-date=18 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118031438/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/24/donald-trump-big-lie-american-democracy |url-status=live }} Trump's fellow Republicans had varied reactions to Trump's false election-fraud claims.{{Cite web|title=As Trump's Election Pressure Campaign Hits Republican Officials, Some Hit Back|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/12/04/941284401/as-trumps-election-pressure-campaign-hits-republican-officials-some-hit-back|access-date=7 January 2021|website=NPR| date=4 December 2020 |language=en|archive-date=14 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114214753/https://www.npr.org/2020/12/04/941284401/as-trumps-election-pressure-campaign-hits-republican-officials-some-hit-back|url-status=live| last1=Parks | first1=Miles }}{{Cite news |title=The uncomfortable reality: Even many Republican officials believe false election claims |url-access=subscription |first1=Philip |last1=Bump |date=Feb 24, 2021 |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/02/24/uncomfortable-reality-even-many-republican-officials-believe-false-election-claims/ |access-date=10 August 2023 |archive-date=17 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417004934/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/02/24/uncomfortable-reality-even-many-republican-officials-believe-false-election-claims/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |title=Just 27 congressional Republicans acknowledge Biden's win, Washington Post survey finds |date=Dec 5, 2020 |url-access=subscription |first1=Paul |last1=Kane |first2=Scott |last2=Clement |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/survey-who-won-election-republicans-congress/2020/12/04/1a1011f6-3650-11eb-8d38-6aea1adb3839_story.html |access-date=10 August 2023 |archive-date=5 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205191945/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/survey-who-won-election-republicans-congress/2020/12/04/1a1011f6-3650-11eb-8d38-6aea1adb3839_story.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |title=Trump's False Election Fraud Claims Split Republicans |date=November 6, 2020 |first1=Michael |last1=Crowley |url-access=subscription |website=The New York Times |language=en |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/06/us/politics/trump-election-republicans.html |access-date=2023-08-10 |archive-date=16 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116035304/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/06/us/politics/trump-election-republicans.html |url-status=live }} Trump's strong grip on the Republican led to a majority of the party supporting or refusing to actively oppose him. Galvin, D.J. (2020). Party Domination and Base Mobilization: Donald Trump and Republican Party Building in a Polarized Era. The Forum, 18(2), pp.135–168. doi:https://doi.org/10.1515/for-2020-2003.

Among those who stood firm against Trump's attempts to subvert the 2020 election results were Vice President Mike Pence, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, and the courts. Pence, despite intense pressure from Trump to reject the Electoral College results, upheld his constitutional duty by certifying Biden’s victory. Pence’s stance was crucial in safeguarding the integrity of the democratic process. Similarly, Raffensperger, a Republican, resisted Trump’s phone call pressuring him to "find" enough votes to alter Georgia’s outcome. Raffensperger and his team, despite immense political pressure, upheld the accurate count. The courts also played a vital role in protecting democracy. Across the country, judges dismissed numerous baseless lawsuits aimed at overturning the results, reinforcing that the election was fair and legitimate.{{citation needed|date=April 2025}}

On 6 January 2021, a pro-Trump mob, inflamed by Trump's false claims, attacked the Capitol in Washington, D.C., in a failed attempt to keep Trump in power. The mob disrupted the counting of the electoral votes by a joint session of Congress for several hours.{{Cite web |author=Dmitriy Khavin |author2=Haley Willis |author3=Evan Hill |author4=Natalie Reneau |author5=Drew Jordan |author6=Cora Engelbrecht |author7=Christiaan Triebert |author8=Stella Cooper |author9=Malachy Browne |author10=David Botti |newspaper=New York Times |title=Day of Rage: An In-Depth Look at How a Mob Stormed the Capitol |date=30 June 2021 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/video/us/politics/100000007606996/capitol-riot-trump-supporters.html |access-date=11 September 2021 |archive-date=21 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921172054/https://www.nytimes.com/video/us/politics/100000007606996/capitol-riot-trump-supporters.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-michael-pence-4cd64aab06e0f943ca8f83fd0b65037d|title=Capitol Police officers sue Trump, allies over insurrection|author=Colleen Long & Michael Balsamo|date=26 August 2021|work=Associated Press|access-date=11 September 2021|archive-date=20 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920142749/https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-michael-pence-4cd64aab06e0f943ca8f83fd0b65037d/|url-status=live}}{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/01/25/among-the-insurrectionists|title=Capitol Police officers sue Trump, allies over insurrection|author=Luke Mogelson|magazine=The New Yorker|date=15 January 2021|agency=The New Yorker|access-date=11 September 2021|archive-date=18 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118180312/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/01/25/among-the-insurrectionists|url-status=live}} Five people died either shortly before, during, or following the attack.{{cite news |last1=Levenson |first1=Eric |last2=Vera |first2=Amir |last3=Kallingal |first3=Mallika |title=What we know about the 5 deaths in the pro-Trump mob that stormed the Capitol |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2021/01/07/us/capitol-mob-deaths/index.html |access-date=7 January 2021 |work=CNN |date=7 January 2021 |archive-date=14 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114214651/https://edition.cnn.com/2021/01/07/us/capitol-mob-deaths/index.html |url-status=live }} Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell noted that "if this election were overturned by mere allegations from the losing side, our democracy would enter a death spiral."{{Cite web|last=Axios|title=McConnell: "Our democracy would enter a death spiral" if Congress overturned election|url=https://www.axios.com/mcconnell-electoral-college-2cc27aeb-00b2-4c56-b615-d87ae45c0acc.html|access-date=7 January 2021|website=Axios| date=6 January 2021 |language=en|archive-date=14 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114214759/https://www.axios.com/mcconnell-electoral-college-2cc27aeb-00b2-4c56-b615-d87ae45c0acc.html|url-status=live}} On 7 January 2021, Trump condemned the riots and committed to the peaceful transition of power, but refused to mention Biden’s name in his farewell address and did not attend Biden’s inauguration.{{Cite web|last1=Martin|first1=Jeffery|title=Full Text of Speech in Which Donald Trump Finally Concedes Election to Biden Without Naming Him|url=https://www.newsweek.com/full-text-speech-which-donald-trump-finally-concedes-election-biden-1559880|website=Newsweek|date=7 January 2021|access-date=11 June 2021|archive-date=15 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210215230507/https://www.newsweek.com/full-text-speech-which-donald-trump-finally-concedes-election-biden-1559880|url-status=live}} After he transferred power, he routinely repeated election lies and defended the riots.{{cite news |last1=Dale |first1=Daniel |title=Trump is doing more lying about the election than talking about any other subject |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/12/politics/analysis-trump-election-lies-blog-post-presidency |work=CNN |date=12 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210616191647/https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/12/politics/analysis-trump-election-lies-blog-post-presidency |archive-date=16 June 2021 |url-status=live}}

Debate continues as to whether the events of the 2020 election represent a temporary aberration or a deeper, more sustained threat to the democratic fabric of the nation. Some argue that the rise of political polarization, the spread of disinformation, and the increasing willingness of political actors to reject established norms could point to a more profound crisis of legitimacy;{{cite journal | url=https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/00027162241229309 | doi=10.1177/00027162241229309 | title=Political Parties and Loser's Consent in American Politics | date=2023 | last1=Layman | first1=Geoffrey | last2=Lee | first2=Frances | last3=Wolbrecht | first3=Christina | journal=The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science | volume=708 | pages=164–183 }} others believe that the resilience of U.S. institutions in the face of these challenges demonstrates that the foundations of democracy, while tested, remain robust.{{cite journal | url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/48647330 | jstor=48647330 | title=Front Matter | journal=The Independent Review | date=2021 | volume=26 | issue=1 }} The 2024 election saw a peaceful transfer of power between Biden and a returning Trump.

In Venezuela in 1958, the Puntofijo Pact allowed a political agreement to respect the election results,{{Cite journal |last=Corrales |first=Javier |date=2001-01-01 |title=Strong Societies, Weak Parties: Regime Change in Cuba and Venezuela in the 1950s and Today |journal=Latin American Politics and Society |volume=43 |issue=2 |pages=81–113 |doi=10.2307/3176972 |jstor=3176972}} allowing for a peaceful transition of power after the ouster of dictator Marcos Pérez Jiménez and during the country's democratic period.{{Cite book |last1=Márquez |first1=Laureano |title=Historieta de Venezuela: De Macuro a Maduro |last2=Eduardo |first2=Sanabria |publisher=Gráficas Pedrazas |year=2018 |isbn=978-1-7328777-1-9 |edition=1st |page=95 |chapter=¡Por fin, democracia! |author-link=Laureano Márquez}}

• Power sharing
• Nonviolent revolution
• Peaceful Revolution
• Puntofijo Pact
• Succession crisis

{{reflist}}

Category:Democracy

Category:Elections

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