Once again, Donald Trump stepped foot in the White House on Wednesday, marking his first visit since he notably bypassed Joe Biden’s inauguration four years prior. In a surprising move, Biden chose to invite his soon-to-be successor for a sit down in the historic Oval Office. This gesture, although a time-honored tradition aimed at showcasing a demonstrated peaceful exchange of power, felt nothing short of disconcerting considering the recent past. Four years prior, Trump had sat in that very office mounting an attack on our democratic institutions, attempting to override the will of the American people.
With the backdrop of a roaring fire and a sea of eager reporters, Biden and Trump put on a cordial show for the cameras. The President congratulated Trump on his victory, voicing his anticipation for a seamless transition. Yet this harmonious facade is a stark contrast to the turbulent past that is still fresh in our minds. From this same office, Trump attempted to undermine our democracy, and now, Biden, perhaps in an effort to uphold routine, welcomes him back.
This spectacle was undoubtedly difficult for many of us to digest, as it gave the impression that democracy, for all its ideals, could potentially be usurped with relative ease. Trump had previously signaled he might attempt to pull the same undemocratic moves if he faced defeat in this election, but his victory spared us from that nightmare. Democrats, as usual, seemed prepared to relinquish power peacefully – a trait that comes across as startlingly one-sided in our current political arena – and we were expected to countenance this imbalance.
Yet, this discrepancy can stir up feelings of frustration. The health and survival of our democracy were hinging precariously on the election results which favoured Trump. The absence of considerations including toxic lies, wild conspiracy theories, potential mob violence, and terrifying unknowns became possible because of Trump’s triumph. Thus came into play game of political roulette where the outcome depended on who led the pack at the end of the ballot count.
As a silver lining to some, the dawn of January 6, 2025, would not see any makeshift execution stands on the Capitol grounds. Instead, Vice President Kamala Harris would preside over a civilized constitutional certification of the electoral votes – an irony not lost on many. However, this electoral victory does not diminish the inherent challenge we face: Trump and many in his political uprising are still a threat to our constitution’s continuity.
Despite their blatant disregard for democratic norms, facts, and rule of law, they came away unaffected. It is an error in judgement to conclude that these actions are inconsequential merely because he won. The American citizenry expressed its mandate on January 6, 2021, by not allowing Trump’s several alleged wrongdoings to sway their vote against him. But does this mean they are oblivious to the foundations of our democracy?
Many of us, patently, still care immensely about our Constitution, our tradition of a peaceful transfer of power and upholding our liberal democratic order. Confronted with the prospect of another four years of Trump wielding power, the path forward appears enigmatic. Yet, the acceptance of stark disparity in the treatment of political leaders remains discordant to reason and logic.
The idea that Trump operates under one set of rules while others navigate within another is diametrically opposed to the principles of fairness and equality we strive for. The acceptance of such an asymmetric status quo in our electoral process is improbable. In this setting, one side winning leads to a struggle for survival against deceit, illegal challenges, and potentially violent mobs, while the other side is conferred an unceremoniously hospitable welcome.
The nature of preserving democracy comes with its fair share of burdens. Upholding institutions and norms for individuals like Trump, who have sought to dismantle them, is one of such. However, this is far from a sustainable equilibrium: as one side preserves liberal democratic norms, the other ruthlessly aims to sabotage and decimate them.
It’s a dangerous game of tug-of-war. The tension between safeguarding and undermining democratic norms threatens to come undone. Such an outcome seems inevitable if the scales continue to tip further towards inequity and lack of checks and balances.
The stark contradiction between the rhetoric and reality surrounding this purportedly ‘peaceful transfer of power’ reintroduces a significant question – how will this struggle, this tense game of political high stakes, ultimately conclude? Unfortunately, the recent electoral victory of Trump, only adds another complex layer to this disconcerting puzzle.
Amidst this perplexing situation, it’s crucial to remember that the core struggle of preserving our democratic order didn’t evaporate simply because Trump managed to secure more votes this time. A democracy’s existence isn’t assured by accepting doublespeak or blurring the lines between respect for norms and blatant disregard for the same.
As we brace ourselves for the unfolding of the next chapter in our nation’s history, we must refuse to become passive observers. The resolution to this dissonance won’t be found by taking the easy route of acceptance and silence. It lies within our collective will to continue questioning, to continue pushing for fairness, and to never lose sight of the democratic principles we hold dear.
Despite the impending four-year tenure of Trump, it’s incumbent on us to affirm that we don’t accept the rule of two standards – one for him and another for the rest. Our challenge is to ensure that our democratic institutions remain resilient, and the respect for democratic values endures, irrespective of who occupies the Oval Office.