Last week, the nation witnessed a powerful but often ill-appreciated part of our country’s history. A new president was inaugurated to lead the United States of America for the next four years. Regardless of our politics, the tradition of inaugurations is remarkable and outstanding, compared to historical transfers of power throughout history. It’s part of what makes our nation and its democracy so special.
After more than a year of bitter campaigning, rivalries and outright hostility against opposition parties by the competing candidates, Jan. 20 offered a strange contrast. The president and president-elect, often of differing ideologies, shake hands and exchange pleasantries. Leaders of the opposing political parties sit next to one another in the stands and politely listen to inauguration speeches they may completely oppose. A transfer of power takes place not with violence or subterfuge but with the strike of noon and the taking of an oath.
I am very thankful our country and process works this way. Looking throughout the world, many changes in leadership are accompanied by violence and instability. Election results may not be recognized by the ruling parties, or military factions take to the streets and install their own leader.
Much like having free speech and the freedom of religion, it’s often easy to forget just how special and unique our process of inaugurations is. We can often take for granted that despite personal feelings, election results will be recognized and respected. We take for granted people will recognize our new leaders as legitimate, whatever our opinion of them. Countries have split down the middle over what leader they thought was legitimate. I hope we do not take a similar path.
This inauguration was a large change for me. For almost half of my life, Barack Obama was the President of the United States. I remember hearing some of his first inaugural address as a third grader, and I have gone through many experiences in my life under his administration. Now, as of Jan. 20, Donald Trump is the president of the United States. It will be interesting to get used to reading President Trump in all of the news reports instead of President Obama.
The Trump Administration will also give me some perspective. For as long as I’ve been interested in politics, Barack Obama and the Democrats were in charge of the executive branch. This is the first time I will get to see how a Republican administration functions in my personal life. This will also be the last president I was unable to vote for due to my age. In 2020, my experiences of both the Obama and Trump administrations will certainly factor into my decision.
Inaugurations are supposed to be a time to bring us all together. Even if we do not agree with the new president, we certainly hope for the best for the future of our country. No matter the party of the president, I would never wish for our leadership to fail. Just because I do not agree with someone in power does not mean I do not hope for them to make good decisions for the country.
Nor does this mean that victory implies the opposition should just go along for the ride. Everyone’s voice deserves to be heard, and no one party should force through legislation without working with the other. Inauguration boycotts by our elected officials will only serve to do one thing, which is to further divide the country. If these become a continuing trend, it will not be long until an inauguration becomes a one-sided affair and not a tradition involving the peaceful and respectful transfer of power.
Through this election and many more, presidential inaugurations demonstrate the strong nature of democracy in the United States. As partisan divides grow more apparent, I hope Inauguration Day in the future can be a time to reflect on what is working in our system of government.
Connor Kockler is a Sauk Rapids-Rice High School student. He enjoys writing, politics and news, among other interests.
