Coup d'état

Coup d'état is a human term of French orgin. The term means overthrow of the state. Often coup d'état is shortened to simply coup.

In 1991, hardliners in the Soviet government attempted a coup to roll back the reforms of Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. This coup ultimately failed when these hardliners were unable to consolidate their hold on power. (TOS novel Probe).

On Bajor, Minister Jaro Essa attempted a coup d'état in 2370. The Cardassians provided sub rosa support to the coup in the hopes that the United Federation of Planets would leave the Bajoran system, and they would then be able to reconquer the Bajoran system and gain control of the wormhole. The coup was eventually defeated when it was revealed by Kira Neyers the Cardassian support of the coup. (DS9 episode The Circle).

In an attempt by the Dominion to start a war between the Federation and the Tzenkethi in 2371, the Krajensky Changeling told Captain Benjamin Sisko that the Tzenkethi autarch had been overthrown in a coup d'état. After stopping the Krajensky Changeling from starting a war, the Federation learned that the coup never happened. (DS9 episode The Adversary).

A year later, Admiral James Leyton attempted a coup of the Federation government on the grounds that it was needed to deal with the threat of the Dominion. Captain Sisko and Odo were able to foil the coup, and even Leyton's most loyal supporters had second thoughts about firing on fellow Starfleet officers. (DS9 episode Paradise Lost).