Trump calls the impeachment inquiry 'a COUP.' Twitter suggests he consult the Constitution, dictionary.

(Image credit: Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images)

published 2 October 2019

Over the weekend, President Trump tweeted a warning that the House's impeachment inquiry into his interactions with Ukraine could push the country to civil war, and on Tuesday, he tweeted that he's "coming to the conclusion that what is taking place is not an impeachment, it is a COUP, intended to take away the Power of the People." Obviously, it isn't.

A coup d'état is "the violent overthrow or alteration of an existing government by a small group," usually by the military. Impeachment is a form of extraordinary constitutional remedy granted the duly elected and co-equal legislative branch of the U.S. government. "The 'coup' stuff, just like the civil war stuff can be traced to pro-Trump media where it floated up into the Hannitys of the world and then to the president," The New York Times' Charlie Warzel explained. It's jarring when the president of the United States tweets it.

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.

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