Despite promises on all sides of a unified national front, it appears that Americans should not hold their breath for this purported harmony. Indeed, even though the chaotic aftermath that marked the 2020 election, did not repeat itself this time, it does little to assure the imminent unity. Kamala Harris admitted defeat soon after polling closed, and even Joe Biden, the sitting president, offered his cooperation in the transition. While there seems to be no hindrance to the Electoral College vote, taking comfort in that would be premature.
In an uncharacteristic gesture, Biden reached out to Trump, offering assistance ahead of the transition. No significant bid to interfere with or postpone the Electoral College’s tally was witnessed – a far cry from the shock of Capitol attack dating back to January 6, 2021. ‘Helping our country heal’ said Trump addressing his jubilant followers at his campaign headquarters in West Palm Beach, Florida, late on Tuesday night. Harris, in contrast, faced a considerably less invigorated audience at Howard University, where she also claimed to have congratulated Trump.
Harris’s call to Trump involved not only her acceptance of election results but also her readiness to aid in a peaceful transition exercise. However, she clarified that this did not entail adopting the opposition’s policies on the economy, abortion rights, or any other matter. ‘Just because I concede this election, it does not indicate that I surrender the fight that inspired this campaign – a battle for freedom, opportunity, fairness, and human dignity’ she stated, with a palpable strength in her voice.
Despite the surprisingly decisive election outcome, the underlying disparities regarding government roles and nationwide leader conduct remain entrenched, dividing the political landscape just as they had in the previous three elections. Potentially a fourth one looms in 2028. Trust, the most invaluable asset, is most deficient in Washington’s political scenario. Democrats, already thrown off balance by their defeat and the shrinking support from their primary allies, are unlikely to surrender.
Marrying contradictions would likely necessitate compromises from both ends of the political spectrum. Congressional Democrats might align with Trump, particularly on common concerns such as the situation at the southern border, which worries a majority of Americans. For a similar reciprocity, Trump might need to alleviate their fears of his dictatorial tendencies and his threat of retaliation towards against the opposition.
Trump’s initial tenure in office was marked by the reliance on Republican majorities in both houses to cement his agenda. No Democratic votes were cast for the enormous tax-cut bill, which passed Congress in 2017, and is likely to extend in similar fashion next year.
When Democrats reclaimed Congress following the 2018 midterm elections, confrontations ensued from their very first White House session, culminating in him being impeached twice by the House of Representatives. To expect or even hope for unity or sincere collective efforts to address the country’s most urgent issues would require a level of trust that’s currently in extreme deficit in the capital.
Insiders expect Trump’s second term to be marked by increased combativeness. A few reasons for this anticipated aggression include his lack of restraint from internal GOP challenges, his newfound confidence following his election victory, and his mastery over the power levers. Trump has reportedly expressed his determination to rope in more loyalists this time, signaling a shift in his approach.
Biden’s commitment to heal the volatile divide, an uphill task that has proved to be daunting. Many Democrats blame him for the demoralizing Election Day results. Reflecting on the results, he echoed, ‘While some savor their victory, others nurse their wounds. But beyond these contests lies a vast country, its citizens not adversaries, but fellow Americans.’ Despite his promise of an orderly transition to a Trump presidency, there was a note of resignation in his voice.
In an effort to not tip the nation into further turmoil, Biden accepted ‘the choice the country made.’ Encouraging citizens to perceive each other not as enemies, but as fellow Americans, Biden pleaded for a reduction in the country’s heated political temperature. But beneath the calm demeanor, was an underlying acknowledgement of the political chasm that was too wide to bridge.
Contrary to Biden’s apparently noble intentions, the reality of politics is often far from the lofty ideals that politicians espouse. The hopes for unity, like so many before it, are likely to be just that – hopes. The divide that exists in the country is too great. The impasse, therefore, seems not to be a matter of if but when it will manifest in full measure.
In conclusion, the aftermath of the elections, portrayed a mixed bag of emotions. For Democrats, these were moments of introspection, and for the Republicans, it was indeed a moment of jubilation. One thing is clear though: the journey to national unity is far from over. Despite the relentless rhetoric on unity, substantial action is yet to follow.
This saga underscores the longstanding issues plaguing the American political landscape. Even as elections come and go, the intrinsic divides within the country endure, only deepened by further polarizing figures such as Biden and Harris. Perhaps it’s a deliberately engineered political game or the manifestation of personality-fueled politics, but the hope for national unity remains, at best, ephemeral.