Quote:
Originally Posted by Hugh
I can’t think of a country (in this Century) that has suspended their Constitution to "extend the rule of a President beyond their initial term" - I know of one country where the Constitution explicitly allows the delaying of Elections under Parliamentary-approved Martial Law, which legally extends the term of the Parliament and the Head of State until the end of Martial Law.
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The mechanics elsewhere are less important than the underlying principle and what protections (or lack thereof) might exist in America.
The 20th Amendment implies Trump could continue to act as President so long as Congress agrees should a successor not be selected, a very similar proposition to your case of Parliamentary approved martial law in the absence of elections. (Congress could in theory pick anyone, since the post holder would only act as President and not “be” President. It’s likely implied that this person should be the Speaker since that is the line of succession, but that’s not what the provision states).
Edit: to add, once you hit early January there would be no Speaker, should elections not take place, for the same reason there would be no President elect or VP elect. Two thirds of the Senate would still hold their offices.