hypothetical

The planning, they acknowledge, responds to a hypothetical worst case in which a second Trump presidency ushers in systematic suppression of free speech and criminalization of dissent.

In a recent interview with CBS, the BBC's US partner, Homan was asked about a hypothetical situation in which a grandmother was caught up in a "targeted" enforcement operation going after criminals.

He added he would not comment on "hypothetical scenarios" of a future US administration.

Right now, in foreign ministries around the world, including in London, hypothetical game plans for this scenario are becoming the real deal.

By the same token, if an institution with more firepower than any entity on earth meekly submits to threats that are thus far hypothetical, how would it act if Trump were actually in power?