Doomsday scenario Wargames reveal the threat to US democracy

It is the afternoon of 20 January 2025 and Donald Trump is in the White House dining room, glued to the same TV where he sat transfixed as the attack on the US Capitol on 6 January unfolded four years ago. This morning he completed one of the most spectacular political comebacks in US history, reciting the oath of office that returned him to the most powerful job on Earth.

- Ed Pilkington Kira Lerner

His political resurrection has caused turmoil and massive anti-Trump demonstrations have erupted in big cities. In his inaugural address the 47th president makes clear his intention with detractors. "They are rioting in the streets. We are not safe. Make our cities safe again!" he commands. The peaceful marches are portrayed on Fox News as anarchic disorder. Trump grows incensed and calls his team with one purpose - to end the demonstrations by any means.

"I need to make sure our streets are safe from those who are running amok trying to overthrow our administration," he tells the law enforcement, national security and military officials. Alarm ripples through the room as he cites the Insurrection Act, saying it allows him to call up the national guard in key states to suppress "rebellion".

He gives an ultimatum. "I've been charged by the American people to make this country great again. I need to know right now everybody in this room is on board." The scenario was imaginary, but the discussion around it was real.

In a hotel in the Washington DC area dozens of people were seated at tables arranged to resemble the White House situation room, wearing name tags denoting their role-play character. Prominent people from both parties were in role as the US president, aka Trump, the joint chiefs of staff, Republican and Democratic governors, Congress members, federal prosecutors, and religious, business and community leaders.

About 175 people participated in five exercises, bringing to the process an extraordinary wealth of bipartisan institutional knowledge.

Senior officials from successive administrations of both parties, including the Trump's, attended.

They came with a mission: to wargame Trump acting out the most extreme authoritarian elements of his agenda and explore what could be done, should he win this November, to protect democracy against abuse of power.