A deep breath

Friday is inauguration day.

Donald J. Trump will become the 45th President of the United States.

Some political leaders are vowing not to attend the ceremony, claiming Trump is not a legitimate president. Others will not attend simply because they don’t want him to be president.

There will be protests. In fact, at last count 25 activist groups have received clearance to demonstrate at the event. That is five times the average for presidential inaugurations. Reportedly, a number of motorcycle clubs will attend in support of Trump.

From Friday on, the country will begin to know what sort of president we have. Reportedly, many governments are waiting to see just what the future holds. Many Americans are waiting to see, too.

Some, however, are not waiting. Some have already spoken, both individuals and government leaders, claiming they already know with certainty.

Regardless, it is far too early to judge an administration before even the inauguration.

One thing is for sure, it will not be a traditional tenure.

Trump has not sufficiently separated himself from his many businesses. His wife will not live in the White House. Even before being inaugurated he has demeaned the national security apparatus; criticized a civil rights icon; angered nations around the world, such as China, and has sent a dizzying array of tweets that confuse, contradict and concern. He has criticized countless people, businesses and groups, yet he overreacts to criticism about himself. As worrisome, convention is not important to him.

Already foreign allies are becoming contentious. Those who are not are at least concerned. The world waits and wonders. There are too many unknowns for any sort of comfort level.

His surrogates continue to proclaim that everything will be fine. After the inauguration, things will calm down and the administration will become better understood, they say. The direction the new administration takes will soon be obvious. That will be the time to judge.

Unfortunately, so much of what Trump has said may affect opinions about him for years despite what he does in office. Similarly, so much of what his detractors have said may set his tone for years.

Regardless of all that has transpired, regardless of the widespread unhappiness of some groups, regardless of all the harsh rhetoric, Donald J. Trump was duly elected to be the 45th president of the United States.

Citizens need to take a deep breath and keep an open mind. The time to react negatively or positively will come.

Although it is a bad way to start, with a little calm and cooperation, it need not end in a bad way.

Gordon Forgey

Publisher