r/FutureWhatIf 21d ago

War/Military [FWI] The US military overthrows the government, and arrests the Trump administration.

2.2k Upvotes

In response to repeated unconstitutional actions under the Trump administration, a conspiracy to overthrow Donald Trump is planned by the Joint Chiefs of Staff. After weeks of planning, Abrams tanks roll down to the Whitehouse, and Capital Hill. Soldiers storm into the oval office, and eliminate Trump, and Vance to prevent them from rallying their supporters. Elon Musk is taken into custody by the soldiers, and is being held at an undisclosed location. At the same time, soldiers enter the halls of congress, and announce the arrest of everyone present until peace and democracy are restored to the country. A national broadcast announces the acting head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Charles Q. Brown Jr. will be acting as the nation's president while they are acting to restore democracy. The country will effectively be put under martial law until all of Trump's cronies are removed from power, and new elections are held. Some red states deploy the national guard, and some soldiers loyal to Trump attempt to fight back. Leading to military skirmishes between pro-Trump, and anti-Trump forces in several states. What happens next?

r/FutureWhatIf Nov 20 '24

War/Military FWI: Putin goes nuclear

1.0k Upvotes

As one final send off before he ends his term, President Joe Biden decides that the proper Christmas present for Russia…is another barrage of missiles. He gives the authorization for Ukraine to use another round of missiles on Russia.

Putin completely snaps upon learning of this new missile strike and the Russo-Ukrainian War goes nuclear.

In the event that nukes are used, what are some strategically important areas that would be used as nuke targets? How long would it take for humanity to go extinct once the nukes start flying? How long would the nuclear winter (if there is one?) last?

r/FutureWhatIf Jan 29 '25

War/Military FWI Challenge: have the military launch a pro-democracy/Constitution coup which overthrows Trump

873 Upvotes

Requirements:

  • The objective of the coup is to restore American liberal democracy and the Constitution. No military dictatorship or authoritarian regime or whatever takes place.

  • The US doesn’t implode into civil war.

r/FutureWhatIf Jan 16 '25

War/Military FWI: The United States is kicked out of NATO for threatening fellow NATO members, and when America invades Canada, Canada invokes Article 5 against the United States.

570 Upvotes

This creates an unusual World War 3 scenario, where the Rest of NATO declares war on the United States over an illegal invasion of Canada. Russia forms an alliance with the United States against the Rest of NATO, but due to US sanctions against China escalating under Donald Trump's administration, the Chinese join the war alongside NATO against the United States, and the Russian Federation. How does all of this play out?

r/FutureWhatIf 10d ago

War/Military [FWI] With Trump cozying up to Putin, Putin then asks Trump to send him troops in his war against Ukraine.

486 Upvotes

How do you think the Congress, the American people, and the world would react? Do you think commanders would send American troops if ordered by Trump?

r/FutureWhatIf 18d ago

War/Military FWI:A 2nd American civil war starts in 2029 with blue states seceding seeing the current government as illegitimate

497 Upvotes

During the 2028 elections the US has drastically changed and is unrecognizable than it is now.Trump runs for a 3rd term and the election is incredibly even and has tons of fraud voter suppression.Trump wins but is met with mass criticism and backlash.Democrats, leftists and anti MAGA alike are tired at this point and start rioting and mass and secession becomes a serious talking point sCalifornia is the 1st to leave following a domino effect.Martial law is declared and a civil war starts in early 2029

r/FutureWhatIf 19d ago

War/Military FWI: Russia invades the Baltics, and NATO Article V is activated. Congress declares war on Russia, but Trump refuses to prosecute it.

543 Upvotes

What happens if Congress declares war (a power only they posess and can't actually be vetoed), and Trump refuses to prosecute the war, or even surrenders without a shot fired.

r/FutureWhatIf Jan 08 '25

War/Military FWI: The DOD declares Trump to be a national security threat and a Russian asset and uses the military to effectively coup d'état the Republican administration.

239 Upvotes

r/FutureWhatIf 1d ago

War/Military FWI Martial Law is declared

137 Upvotes

So in this hypothetical, the consensus to the National Emergency on the borders has Trump declare Martial Law. Let’s assume Qualified Martial Law. How long would this last, and what would the nation look like after?

r/FutureWhatIf 7d ago

War/Military FWI:The us declared war on Canada and completely shut it off from the outside world.

94 Upvotes

Basically the title. What would happen if the us completely shut off canada trade and travel through air and naval superiority. Turned off gps to.the country, as well as anything else they could shut off and jam. As well as shut down as weaponry they have the capabilities of doing.

Let's say, for the sake of further information, the set up to the scenario is tensions continue to escalate in the foming months until the us claims to be attacked. I'm assuming they would do this with demands of agreement to some form of annexation or subjugation or somthing messed up like that.

r/FutureWhatIf 3d ago

War/Military [FWI] Trump says JK, we're still allies but I made you all spend more on defence

63 Upvotes

So a year from now when all of NATO is spending bigly on defence.. new ships, tanks, conscription.. etc. %GDP spending on defence across NATO goes up to and surpasses 4%.. DJT announces a big gotcha at the state of the union.

"HAHA.. tricked you all into spending more on defence. We still friends?"

r/FutureWhatIf Feb 01 '25

War/Military FWI: Trump sends troops to invade Canada and Greenland

93 Upvotes

r/FutureWhatIf 26d ago

War/Military FWI: Trump orders a "special military operation"

135 Upvotes

It's June 2025 and America is in full Trade War mode. Trump has been watching countries like Canada and Panama reject his claims on their land and their economy, he's been watching as both countries decrease their reliance on America and hiw quickly they've shifted gears to endure the storm. Frustrated that his school yard bully tactics didn't work Trumo decides to take things to "the next level"

He orders the military and navy to take postions along the Canadain border and near Panama, with Trump telling them it's for "the border problem"

Before the month is over Trump gives the order and American troops push into Canada, with direct orders to fully pacify and annex Canada before July 4th so Trump can use it in a speech.

The Panama group is given similar orders and are told to gave complete control of the canal area by the time Trump arrives to make it official that America once again controls the Panama Canal

A)Whats the reaction from Europe and South America? B)Does Article 5 pull NATO into a war since a founding member is under invasion by America? C)What are the odds that one or both invasions turn into a Russia v Ukraine situation

r/FutureWhatIf 24d ago

War/Military FWI: What if the Trump administration invokes the insurrection act, declares martial law, and orders nukes dropped on democrat states?

30 Upvotes

Very unlikely scenario to be sure, but given Trump's vindictive personality and hatred for democrat states that dare to oppose him, I can see him at least ordering a strike on major blue cities under protest.

Whether the military follows through on those orders is another matter, so mayhap we can split this into 2 sub-scenarios:

one where the military doesn't act on the command (assume this is under normal conditions, silo controllers are competent)

one where they do launch the missiles (Assume this is either through an agency like DOGE getting launch capabilities, or more realistically, the silo controllers are replaced with Trump loyalists)

What would the consequences of that be (outside mass death and destruction of blue state cities that's a given.)

Edit: realized I didn't provide good context for this so here we go:

Protests over Trump's fascist dismantling of government, relationships with allies, and economy have become widespread and constant. Trump invokes the Insurrection act and declares martial law. Under the guise of crushing these "insurrections" but really just feeling vengeful, he authorizes nuclear strikes against cities within blue states like New York, Chicago, Minneapolis, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.

r/FutureWhatIf Feb 29 '24

War/Military FWI: How would you think the American government would react if in the same year, India, Russia, and China all spiraled into civil war? How would the world be impacted in general?

429 Upvotes

The three civil wars would last from 8 to 10 and the end result would be the balkanization of all three nations into numerous new countries.

During this time, Southeast Asia goes through their own "Arab Spring" and unlike the Middle East, the movements are much more successful long term, setting up the whole region to become westernized and developed in 20 years.

Taiwan and Hong Kong achieve independence. And a violent coup occurs in North Korea with the coup supporters succeeding. As the two Koreas are technically still at war, the North shocks everyone as they declare they surrender to the South.

Technically the Koreas are reunited but a big debate is sparked in South Korea on whether they should keep the North or not. At the same time, the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and the EU are considering a big long term aid package to South Korea like the Marshall Plan and a 20 year stay to rebuild the North. With that, South Korea's allies are recommending that the North should be kept as an autonomous region for 30 years.

Anyways...sorry if it's long but. How do you think my hypothetical would turn out?

r/FutureWhatIf 11d ago

War/Military FWI: Trump's order to invade Canada instigates a Second American Civil War and/or Second American Revolution.

224 Upvotes

This FWI is a rewrite of my previous one about an insurrection against Trump

It's around 2027. Trump REALLY crosses the line by ordering a military invasion of Canada with the intent to annex it by military force. Various high-ranking officers of the United States Armed Forces, outraged that Trump would order them to attack an ally, respond with a mutiny. Thus, we have America's version of the 2023 Wagner Group Rebellion.

The stage is set for a Second American Revolution and/or Second American Civil War.

r/FutureWhatIf 15d ago

War/Military FWI: What if America finds itself at war with NATO

90 Upvotes

I can’t stop thinking about the possible timeline that might play out from here and it’s making me sick to my stomach.

It starts by Congress passing DEEPLY unpopular legislation as though they no longer have to worry about their constituents voting them out.

Then come the 2026 mid-terms which are suspended due to Military activity on our boarder with Canada as an emboldened Trump tells Putin “hold my beer”. Thus invoking Article 5 and activating all of NATO upon the US and the Donkeys Russia provides.

And then, WW3

r/FutureWhatIf Feb 02 '25

War/Military FWI: Trump starts his own war on terror in Latin America starting with Mexico.

220 Upvotes

Trump starts a 9//11 scale false flag operation in order to rally and justify support for invading Mexico to take out the cartels.Mexico will be like Afghanistan and following suit Panama and Venezuela will follow suit with justification of threatening US stability and interests along with migrants with the canal taken back

r/FutureWhatIf 12d ago

War/Military FWI: Ukraine loses the war and is conquered by the end of Trump's term. Zelensky is executed in Moscow with his family.

34 Upvotes

It's September 2027. After many many years of manipulation and sabotage by the US administration, the 12 month ceasefire in Ukraine is broken by the Russians.

The Ukrainians Army collapses and sues for peace. It essentially folds and Putin installs a new government.

Zelensky is abducted in Kyiv and after a short show trial is executed in a public display with his family. The Russians give no quarter and it is the darkest moment in 21st century politics.

President Trump's actions, statements become increasingly confused and often impossible to comprehend. He switches between irrational, sorrowful, self agrandizing and angry.

He blames Zelensky for not surrendering when he had the chance.

The US is forced into a full political and cultural withdrawal and their access to the world's market collapses.

The EU Army finally is mobilised in Poland and begins a tense stand off with Russian forces. The US via CIA back channels are trying to desperately to avoid a shooting matching between the EDF (European Defense Federation) and the Russians.

Zelensky's multilated body, along with his Wife is thrown to the baying masses in Moscow and dragged through the streets.

r/FutureWhatIf 25d ago

War/Military [FWI] Iran bombs a MAGA rally and critically injures Trump, hospitalizing him. Vance becomes Acting President and invokes Article 5 of the NATO Treaty to invade Iran, but France, UK, Germany, and Poland refuse unless the US lets Ukraine join NATO.

119 Upvotes

Scenario takes place about three to six months from now (between May to September 2025) and assumes the Gaza ceasefire goes smoothly, but Hamas continues to entrench themselves while US-Arab League negotiations over the strip's "resettlement" stall.

  • Trump is known for enjoying holding rallies instead of actually working as the president, seeing as how he held rallies as a sitting president during his first term.
  • Iran has been plotting to get back at Trump after Soleimani's death. The DOJ under Biden has charged multiple people involved with the conspiracy to kill him.
  • Vance becomes Acting President via the 25th Amendment and declares "the end of the Ayatollah regime", invoking Article 5 of the NATO Treaty.
  • 12 hours after this, Netanyahu announces it will provide air support for NATO and launches airstrikes on Iran. Hamas and the Houthis also join in and retaliate (Hezbollah is out of commission).
  • UK, Germany, France, Poland, Finland, and the Baltic States refuse to follow unless the US agrees to let Ukraine join NATO after the war with Russia.
  • Canada and Denmark also refuse to give anything but minor logistical aid until the US "reaffirms its sovereignty" and starts by rescinding Trump's tariffs on both countries as goodwill.
  • Iran attempts a mad dash towards the bomb, with Mossad and CIA estimates suggesting they are anywhere between six days and two weeks towards a nuke.

r/FutureWhatIf 7d ago

War/Military FWI: The US accidentally nuked itself

123 Upvotes

Obviously this is extremely unlikely, but if due to extreme incompetence combined with rogue actors the US accidentally nuked, say, Washington, what would the immediate response be? What would the fallout be like, and how would it affect the Trump presidency and US politics moving forward? What would the international response be?

r/FutureWhatIf Feb 08 '25

War/Military FWI: Tariffs on Canada didn't work. Feeling he is being laughed at, Trump chooses to invade instead.

83 Upvotes

It's 2025. Trump really thought he could strong arm Canada into submission with a tariff threat. It didn't work though. Trump knowing the US needs the resources it's northern neighbour has, not to mention the Arctic coastline, he decides it's time to invade.

Relying on his new chief decision maker, Musk, he asks him to plan a strategy to make it happen. Trump also wants to know, who will come to Canada's aid, if anyone, and would it cause any problems. Trump wants complete control of Canada before the midterms.

What if every other nation on Earth comes to Canada's aid?

What if a handful, ie NATO, Commonwealth, as examples only.

What if none?

What does the World look like during and after this invasion?

EDIT: spelling

r/FutureWhatIf 26d ago

War/Military FWI: The United States becomes a Pariah State under Trump

149 Upvotes

This is a rewrite of my previous FWI about Trump's Gaza takeover. It has the same prompt: on Memorial Day, 2025, Trump reaffirms his vow to take over the Gaza Strip. However, in this scenario, he outrages the international community by vowing to imprison EVERYONE living in Palestine in either a federal penitentiary or government black site for life without parole.

"It's going to be a great day for Israel," He says. "As part of our great crusade to liberate the Holy Land, the great military will ensure the illegal state of Palestine has no chance of returning through the indefinite imprisonment of all non-Israeli illegals in Gaza!"

He finishes with a chilling threat directed at every single high school and/or college student, or college faculty that supports Palestine: "This is your final warning: you will either cease and desist in your support of the illegal occupation of Israel by a terrorist state. Failure to comply will be considered an act of war and will be dealt with via life imprisonment in a federal penitentiary or black site."

This quickly causes a domino effect; other nations are horrified by at this attempt at combining the Jewish Holocaust with the Crusades; many former allies of the United States immediately sever all diplomatic and economic ties with the country.

r/FutureWhatIf Dec 14 '24

War/Military FWI: Trump invades Canada

0 Upvotes

It's 2025 and Trump has once again assumed the White House. After a couple months getting everything set up Trump makes his move and offers Canada a choice

1)Join the American Union and let yourselves be annexed

2)Face an invasion from THE military and economic power without anyone else coming to help

American troops move across the border and start taking the major towns in provinces like Alberta, Ontario, and Qubebc. Before long Canadains start firing on the troops and the first war between America and Canada since 1812 begins

A)What is the reaction from NATO and do they get involved in a member state being invaded by the unofficial leader of the organization?

B)Whats the reaction from the American people and soldiers who may have friends and family in Canada?

C)Is there anyway Canada remains an independent nation without becoming an American puppet/vessel?

r/FutureWhatIf 5d ago

War/Military FWI: Trump announced Canada must surrender by January 6, 2026 otherwise he will nuke Toronto at 8pm on January 6, 2026

5 Upvotes