Former top Obama adviser says if Trump prevented from running it ‘would rip the country apart’

If President Trump was prevented from running for reelection, it would tear the country apart, according to a former top adviser to President Barack Obama. Valerie Jarrett, who was an influential senior adviser to Obama and a close confidant of the former first family, said in an interview with NBC’s Meet the Press this week that she did not know whether the president is considering not running as some Republicans are openly speculating. But she did express concern about what would happen in the political climate if he were to be prevented from running. “I think it would rip the country apart," Jarrett said. "The thought is inconceivable to me.” If the president were to be prevented from running, it would certainly set off a political maelstrom of speculation and debate. People on both sides of the aisle would speculate about who might run for the Republican ticket and how that might affect the election. The implications to the country would certainly be far-reaching. The legitimacy of the results of the election would be immediately questioned if the incumbent president were prevented from running. It would represent a seismic shift in the American political landscape that would be difficult to navigate. It would also potentially open the door for any number of dangerous and polarizing candidates to emerge, intent on seeking favor from a divided country. The resulting chaos could fuel the further polarization of the nation in the aftermath of such a momentous event. The hope of many, likely including Jarrett, is that such a situation won't come to pass. Regardless, it's important to consider the potential consequences of President Trump withdrawing from the race, whether due to his own volition or due to legal or other reasons.