Welcome, Mr. Trump, to the presidency.
Today, the world watches as our 240-year-old nation installs a new leader at the head of our 227-year-old federal government. The inauguration every four years is a powerful and solemn event, draped as it is in United States history. Today, Americans -- all Americans -- receive a new president in the tradition-laden, peaceful transfer of power.
What’s the point?
Today’s inauguration of the next president is a celebration of American ideals and institutions..
Regardless of the outcome of the Nov. 8 presidential election, today's inauguration was destined to be a hard pill to swallow for different parts of the American population. For some, even a few in Congress, the decision rendered by our democratic election process is maligned as illegitimate. Some continue to whine about popular votes vs. electoral votes, but Donald J. Trump won the presidency under the same rules that elected his predecessors, including Barack Obama. A few high-profile Democrats are specifically staying away from the inauguration ceremonies because they don't like the outcome.
Many more recognize the day for what it is, a celebration of the essential elements of American governance. The chief justice of the nation's highest court will swear in the leader of the executive branch on the west side of the U.S. Capitol, which houses the bicameral legislative chambers. The person who has held the reins of executive power for the last eight years will voluntarily hand them over and gracefully exit, having provided a service for which all Americans should be grateful. It is a hard position to earn and an extraordinarily difficult job to do, whether one's policies are hard left, hard right or middle of the road. Let us be thankful for those who are willing to lead, from Washington to Obama, from Hillary Clinton to Lindsay Graham, and yes, for Donald Trump.
Let none of us be so naive to suggest all political differences and opinions about the new president's behavioral choices should simply be forgotten. The president-elect's bombastic ways ensure that would be impossible even if it was desirable. But today isn't about Obama or Trump so much as it's about our nation and the kind of government our Founding Fathers so masterfully crafted. Starting with tomorrow, there are 1,460 days in the term of the 45th president. That's plenty of time for the push and pull of national politics.
Inauguration Day isn't about Democrats and Republicans. It's about the country and its institutions. It's about American history and American hope.
Understandably, Donald Trump inspires questions about whether he appreciates American history and whether he can offer hope to the American people. Can he get his finger off the button -- the one marked "tweet" -- and come into full appreciation of the need for real leadership from the White House? Can he rise above pettiness in responding to people with different ideas than his?
His campaign and his behaviors since the election suggest Trump will regularly revert to boorish tendencies. Is it beyond reason to hope today's oath and his shouldering of the real-world responsibilities of the presidency -- the presidency! -- will temper Trump's less-desirable qualities?
We have to hope. We have to, because he's not just a hotel and casino owner. He's not just a businessman bent on braggadocio. He's not just a TV personality looking for an apprentice. Donald J. Trump, as of noon eastern, will be president of the United States of America.
People who love this country -- the leftists, the right-wingers, the brilliant and the less educated, the entrepreneurs and the hourly workers, the homeowners and the homeless, the people of every color and faith -- need to pray that Trump leads this nation well even in the midst of the usual disagreements over policies and programs. As it was with President Obama, it is disheartening to hear people wish our nation's chief executive ill solely on the basis that he dared to assume the office.
Likewise, as President Obama departs, it should not be with a hearty "good riddance," but with gratitude for his service to the nation in the role of president. How many of you would want the job? Let us be glad there are men and women willing to lead. And we hope more are inspired to lead in the future.
And so, we move into this Inauguration Day with respect for the institutions of American governance and, yes, with a bit of trepidation about what the coming days will look like. But always, with recognition the path ahead is full of unexpected twists and turns, we share the hope of a better future for all Americans.
Commentary on 01/20/2017