President Donald Trump in the Oval Office (Photo: Screen capture)
President Donald Trump has long claimed that any investigation into his administration was a "witch hunt." But as polls have shown growing support for impeachment, he has now escalated his rhetoric against checks and balances.
On Tuesday, Trump claimed that there was a "coup" occurring in America.
A coup d'état refers to an illegal overthrow of an existing government.
However, an impeachment proceeding is not illegal -- it is written in the Constitution -- and it wouldn't overthrow the existing government as Republican Vice President Mike Pence would ascend to the presidency.
That Trump was unfamiliar with the situation provided much fodder for the commander-in-chief to be mocked online. Here's some of what people were saying:
....People, their VOTE, their Freedoms, their Second Amendment, Religion, Military, Border Wall, and their God-give… https://t.co/LWjvAwYOZg— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump)1569973293.0
@realDonaldTrump Their VOTE - You had 3 million less of 'em. Their Second Amendment - No one is taking away guns.… https://t.co/8tAWhMO0fV— St. Nick Jack Pappas (@St. Nick Jack Pappas)1569973592.0
Wait till Trump hears the one about the guy who got millions fewer votes and still became President https://t.co/JwkNsUgFcZ— Dan Pfeiffer (@Dan Pfeiffer)1569974099.0
The president describes the constitutionally outlined process of impeachment as a “coup” because he thinks of himse… https://t.co/CaU6wLuVcL— Adam Serwer 🍝 (@Adam Serwer 🍝)1569973992.0
Impeachment would still leave the presidency in Republican hands so it’s not much of a coup. But since Trump is the… https://t.co/Bv2GT5TftT— Adam Serwer 🍝 (@Adam Serwer 🍝)1569974264.0
I, the president, have determined that WITCH HUNT is no longer working against the bad fake polls so I will therefo… https://t.co/tkFduKQupa— Peter Hamby (@Peter Hamby)1569974281.0
Every time the President Tweets about a coup or a civil war, he is making Vladimir Putin’s wildest dreams come true… https://t.co/2hNdeD3sxN— David Cicilline (@David Cicilline)1569974235.0
Impeachment is a constitutional remedy, not a COUP. And the last time the People used their VOTE, they used their… https://t.co/iSAvE3yWVz— Kevin M. Kruse (@Kevin M. Kruse)1569975861.0
It’s a coup for Congress to use its constitutional powers? https://t.co/DPPzXmUUbw— Chris Megerian (@Chris Megerian)1569973663.0
Trump has in the last couple days: -Suggested Schiff should be arrested for “treason” -Endorsed a comment suggesti… https://t.co/bLy5oZlEzF— Kyle Cheney (@Kyle Cheney)1569973593.0
This is the most formal coup I’ve ever heard of. You ever hear of a coup that has due process and investigations? I… https://t.co/Ioq2T7WCHb— Akilah Hughes (@Akilah Hughes)1569973584.0
If it was a coup, Congress wouldn't be going to the trouble of applying the legal, constitutional mechanism created… https://t.co/5oGbB4Lq5E— Robert Maguire (@Robert Maguire)1569974568.0
He’s no “victim.” He’s a corrupt con man. It’s no “coup.” It’s called the Constitution. https://t.co/UCwx7ksqAX— Joe Walsh (@Joe Walsh)1569974663.0
Trump is now claiming that he's the victim of a coup, after demanding the arrest of a U.S. congressman for treason,… https://t.co/kldNtLH6rT— Matthew Gertz (@Matthew Gertz)1569973607.0
And the circle is now complete: Trump repeats the claim, which has been all over right-wing media in recent days, t… https://t.co/7athkAqZGJ— Oliver Darcy (@Oliver Darcy)1569973774.0
@realDonaldTrump Trump doing his best to incite a violent response by his followers. Trump should be impeached and removed for this alone!!!— (((DeanObeidallah))) (@(((DeanObeidallah))))1569974445.0
@realDonaldTrump No, it is an impeachment, and it’s right there in the Constitution. Next you’ll be saying the el… https://t.co/5qyJkLSRT8— Michelangelo Signorile (@Michelangelo Signorile)1569976311.0
@realDonaldTrump It isn't a coup, it's the process outlined in Article II, Section 4 of the Constitution. You know,… https://t.co/kUDcQAHqAd— Dr. Miranda Yaver (@Dr. Miranda Yaver)1569973376.0
@realDonaldTrump Call it whatever you want. You are a psychopath and your time as wannabe dictator is almost at an end, dick.— God (@God)1569974379.0
if you guessed that trump got this from fox news and family, as usual you are probably right. conservative media is… https://t.co/u8IJtyDDcE— Bobby Lewis (@Bobby Lewis)1569974394.0
Trump declares there is a ‘COUP’ being waged in America in escalation of his rhetoric against impeachment https://t.co/3NMh3tln2M— Raw Story (@Raw Story)1569973910.0
