[MrFlynn]

> > If the mob had managed to find and destroy the electoral certificates,

> Then nothing different would happen because this particular part of the vote is a formality. Well, the news would be even more one sided on this, but nothing else.

I can guarantee to you Trump would have used this an excuse to try to stay in power, or at least use it as another excuse on top of the ones he has concocted already. He's taken plenty of advantage of grey areas to wreak havoc on administrative norms. Furthermore, it would likely have emboldened his supporters to undertake further violent action more quickly.

[throwaway201103]

And he'd have had zero supporters at that point. He'd already lost the VP, who refused his request to reject the votes. Absolutely nobody would have stood with him on extending his term as a result of a violent interruption of this ceremony in the Congress.

[MrFlynn]

130 Republicans in the House voted to overturn two states' election results, not to mention he has an undeniable popular following. I seriously doubt he would have trouble with finding support with a lot of people if he had taken advantage of this. His supporters will follow him no matter what. If storming the capitol wasn't crossing the line, quite frankly, nothing is for them.