### Trump May Attempt 'More Extreme' Measures to Retain Power if He Loses 2024 Election, Analysts Say

Since Donald Trump declared his intention to run in the 2024 presidential race, the prospect of him losing and attempting to overturn the results has loomed large in the minds of many Americans. Politico's investigative team, including senior legal affairs reporter Kyle Cheney, set out to explore this possibility and concluded that a second attempt by Trump to subvert an election could be "more extreme" than his previous efforts.

Cheney, along with reporters Heidi Przybyla, John Sakellariadis, and Lisa Kashinsky, focused on whether Trump could orchestrate a plan to seize power should he lose the upcoming election. Their findings suggest that Trump could indeed find a way to challenge the results, albeit through more radical means than those tried in 2020. "It would be way more extreme and require way more help from Republicans in power in elected office and state legislators and Congress," Cheney explained.

The Politico report outlines a scenario where Trump's efforts to cling to power would begin post-election, with him refusing to concede defeat and instead declaring himself the rightful winner. Drawing from his actions during the 2020 election, Trump has already incited distrust in America's voting system during his recent speeches and rallies. The reporters warned that a "permissive structure" might be established, enabling Republicans in power to take unprecedented steps, such as appointing alternate electors or resisting federal election laws that usually prevent such actions. Key figures, like Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, could play significant roles in this potential upheaval.

A critical factor fueling Trump's determination to regain the presidency is the "avalanche of criminal cases" awaiting him if he fails to secure office. This element adds urgency to his political maneuvers, making his campaign all the more aggressive. Despite the stark outlook, there remains a potential check on these plans: Congressional power. Cheney mentioned that if Democrats were to take control of the House, Trump's ability to overturn an election would be significantly hindered. "He needs Congress to step in on that Jan. 6 session to try and subvert any election that he loses," Cheney elaborated.

While the notion of Trump attempting to overturn another election may seem far-fetched to some, history offers precedent. After his defeat in the 2020 election, Trump and several Republican leaders propagated claims of widespread voter fraud, assertions that led to the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol by his supporters. Trump eventually conceded the transition of power to Joe Biden, but the episode left a significant mark on American democracy.

Trump currently faces four indictments related to alleged conspiracies to overturn the 2020 election results, with the trial set for after Election Day. This ongoing legal battle only heightens the stakes for Trump's 2024 campaign, amplifying concerns about the lengths he might go to retain power.