In a stunning revelation, buried within the federal indictment of former President Donald Trump on four counts related to his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, is a conversation that sheds light on the plans and intentions of an American president like never before. The conversation, which took place on the morning of Jan. 3, 2021, involved Patrick Philbin, the deputy White House counsel, and an individual referred to as Co-Conspirator 4.

It has been widely speculated that Co-Conspirator 4 is Jeffrey Clark, a man whom Trump had hoped to install as attorney general due to his alleged agreement to support the former president's baseless claims of election fraud. Co-Conspirator 4 had accepted Trump's offer to become acting attorney general, a position he ultimately never held.

During their conversation, Philbin reportedly informed Co-Conspirator 4 that there was no conclusive evidence of election fraud that could change the outcome. He emphasized that if Trump remained in office despite this, there would be widespread riots in every major city across the United States. Shockingly, Co-Conspirator 4 responded, "Well, that's why there's an Insurrection Act."

The mention of the Insurrection Act is significant, as Trump had previously considered invoking it in response to the protests that erupted following the police killing of George Floyd. The act allows for the use of the military to suppress civil disorder, insurrection, or rebellion. Trump had expressed his desire to deploy thousands of troops in Washington and other cities, urging law enforcement officials to confront protesters forcefully, even going as far as suggesting violence.

While the exact details of Trump's plans if he had successfully overturned the election remain unknown, the fact that he surrounded himself with individuals like Clark raises concerns. It is plausible that, if Trump had managed to seize power illegitimately, he may have utilized the Insurrection Act to suppress the inevitable protests and resistance. This could have resulted in the loss of hundreds, if not thousands, of American lives, all in an attempt to maintain his tenuous grip on power.

This contemplation of using the Insurrection Act is a testament to Trump's disdain for representative self-government and the very foundations of the Constitution. His self-obsession, egoism, and rejection of democratic principles reveal his willingness to subvert the American constitutional order. It is clear that Trump's attempt to undermine the democratic process was driven by his personal ambitions and a complete disregard for the power vested in the people.

It is not difficult to imagine an alternate reality where Trump's defeat was less decisive and key Republicans were more willing to comply with his demands. In such a parallel universe, Jan. 6, the day of the Capitol insurrection, may have unfolded in Trump's favor, if it even occurred at all. This highlights the fine line between Trump's success and failure, underscoring the gravity of the situation.

Despite the protests of conservative media personalities and Republican politicians, the indictment of Donald Trump on these charges is a necessary step in holding him accountable for his actions. It serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences had his efforts to overturn the election been triumphant. The implications for the future of American democracy cannot be ignored, and the investigation and legal proceedings surrounding this indictment must proceed with utmost seriousness and diligence.