Impressions from a Republic Besieged

Jan 21, 2025

The martial temper of “Battle Hymn of the Republic” belted out by the US Naval Academy Glee Club parading through the Capitol Rotunda set the tone for an inauguration where the divine right of Donald Trump to rule would be a recurring theme. Franklin Graham in his invocation gushed “Look what the Lord has done!” Trump affirmed his belief that his survival when shot in the ear shows he was chosen by God. The Catholic priest who delivered closing remarks thanked God for creating the parents who gave us Trump.

No news account or snippet of video could adequately convey what went down yesterday. The grim recitation of grievance and delusion, the call for return to 19th century imperialism, manifest destiny, expansion of wealth and territory, the hocus-pocus of tariffs through which something would be got for nothing, all was delivered with not a trace of grace or graciousness. Claptrap about “a thrilling new era of national success” with an ever greater, more glorious, and more exceptional America tumbled out in vacuous claims and promises woven into a venomous spew of megalomania and horse manure.

What must past presidents seated to Trump’s left have thought knowing they were among the targets of rage about betrayal, a radical and corrupt establishment, “the pillars of our society…broken and seemingly in complete disrepair,” as the new president tore away at everything they and, indeed, the nation once stood for, constitutional governance, rule of law, decency, honor, civic virtue? As George Bush once said, that was some weird shit.

I do not criticize Biden, Harris, Obama, Bush, Clinton, and their spouses who felt duty bound to be there, thus contributing a patina of normalcy, when I note that Michelle Obama and Karen Pence were conspicuous by and eminently honorable in their absence.

It fell to Amy Klobuchar, Chair of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC), to offer rhetoric once standard fare for these occasions (Klobuchar Delivers). She paid homage to the proud tradition of “the peaceful transfer of power at the heart of our democracy” and the obligation “to uphold the values enshrined in our Constitution—the freedoms, the liberties and, as is inscribed on the entrance of the United States Supreme Court, equal justice under law.”

There was nothing Pollyannaish in Klobuchar’s appeal to these ideals that represent the best in us. She did not shy away from “the hot mess of division” but rather, alluding to “an incredible songwriter” (and Nobel laureate) born in her state, laid the burden on all of us “to ensure that our nation’s democracy is our ‘shelter from the storm.’”

This was followed by a reminder lost on some in the room that our “our great American experiment, grounded in the rule of law, has endured” through a system of checks and balances between three equal branches of government.

“Let us remember,” she said,

the power of those in this room comes from the people: the construction workers who build our country, the teachers and health care workers who nurture us, the troops defending our freedoms, and yes, the firefighters in Los Angeles putting themselves on the line for us. Our democracy’s strength and grit must match theirs.

Her words fell on no ear more deaf than that of the man who later in the day would issue a “blizzard of executive orders and pronouncements” that

featured—almost boasted of—his disdain for legality and contempt for constitutionality…From abrogating the law governing TikTok to trying to end birthright citizenship—not to mention a host of other actions, especially but not only concerning immigration—Trump made clear that a lawless presidency is at the core of his vision for his second term. (Kristol, An All-Out Assault)

The performance was capped off by “a fundamental assault on the Constitution and the rule of law” (Kristol) with pardons, and in a few instances commutations, for violent, unrepentant extremists who on January 6, 2021, tried to prevent the peaceful transfer of power and overturn the election on behalf of the anointed ruler.

A heavy and weary weight came over me as I tried to put these thoughts in order yesterday afternoon. Once again I fear I have little to add to what others have said or written but feel duty bound to speak out in whatever small way I can. Volumes remain unwritten.

I suppose it was in keeping with the spirit of the day that my knee was out of sorts when I got out of bed and sufficiently cranky when I set out to run later in the morning to break off after a few strides. I will take another crack at it tomorrow.

Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published

Keep the faith.
Stand with Ukraine.
yr obdt svt

David Matthews Portable Bohemia

Discussion about this post