Monday brought a rather unexpected but much-needed call for unity in the Capitol rotunda — a place burdened by memories of the deadly insurrection by MAGA supporters against Congress four years ago.
But, notably, this call didn’t come from President Trump. He sat there among a crowd, surrounded by Trump family members, former presidents, first ladies, and a range of tech billionaires. These affluent individuals, making up the new American oligarchy, seemed to have capitulated both financially and morally to a man who’s persistently threatened to complicate their lives.
Instead, it was Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar from Minnesota who appealed for togetherness with words that resonated deeply. Although directed towards the American people, her speech felt like it could have been aimed straight at Trump himself.
“The significance of this moment extends beyond a ceremonial gesture to all who are witnessing it across our country — the ordinary people achieving extraordinary feats,” remarked Klobuchar, who also presided over Congress’ bipartisan inaugural ceremony committee. She recounted President Kennedy’s view that in a democracy, every citizen, irrespective of their political leanings, holds a measure of responsibility. With citizenship comes the duty to harbor no ill will, drawing on Lincoln’s reminder to engage with others generously, even when differences exist.
This optimistic view seems challenging to achieve.
For those inclined to interpret human interactions like entomologists studying insects, the inauguration was a treasure trove of communicative gestures and style choices.
First Lady Melania Trump looked as though she was shielding herself from others with a striking wide-brimmed hat—effectively sending the message to keep your distance. At one awkward moment, Trump couldn’t even get close enough to kiss her cheek.
Vice President Kamala Harris, who was set to visit fire-damaged Altadena later, donned a powerful black suit, signaling a solemn acknowledgment of democratic woes, complete with striking silver zippers. Meanwhile, Trump made plans to visit Los Angeles, taking the opportunity to release a callous comment about the fires burning “unopposed.”
Jill Biden, the First Lady, maintained a tight-lipped smile throughout the event.
Lauren Sanchez, engaged to Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, opted for a more daring outfit reminiscent of a Victoria’s Secret runway, wearing a revealing white bustier beneath her jacket.
Former President George W. Bush seemed to share a secret joke with a smirk and several winks, while former President Obama arrived alone, confidently striding in with his characteristic charm.
Elon Musk, the world’s wealthiest man, seemed to be somewhat detached, occasionally resembling someone under the influence after his purported salute at a rally post-inauguration, sparking online humor about his apparent “malfunction.”
Kimberly Guilfoyle, having been sent to Greece as an ambassador following Donald Trump Jr’s relationship with a Palm Beach socialite, sat noticeably, not among the VIPs, but rather in the general audience, appearing rather displeased.
Trump’s address echoed his initial aggressive “American carnage” speech, only this time laced with more specifics. Any semblance of humility, typically a feature of inaugural speeches, was absent.
“I was saved by God to make America great again,” Trump declared, alluding to surviving an assassination attempt in July.
If Trump has his way, numerous people — communities of color, the LGBTQ+ community, immigrants looking for better opportunities, and the economically disadvantaged — are in for hardships. In one swift move, he reversed multiple executive orders from Biden’s administration aimed at promoting equity, safeguarding public health, and tackling climate change.
“We will foster a society that is color-blind and merit-based,” Trump pronounced — a commendable aim, albeit contradicted by his own history of racist remarks and actions.
My teenage niece, just 14, was taken aback when he announced, “From today, the official policy of the United States government is that there are only two genders, male and female.” In today’s world, even young Americans recognize the limitations of such a narrow perspective, which not even a decree from a self-proclaimed divinely-appointed leader can alter.
On Monday, Trump shockingly took strides to further erode the very foundations of American democracy and the rule of law. He pardoned or reduced the sentences of over 1,500 individuals who had clashed violently with Capitol police, defacing the halls of Congress during the January 6, 2021 attempted coup in his name.
For many, coming to terms with the reality that the man who sowed chaos has now become the 47th president is tough. His rash of executive orders indicates he has learned something from past blunders, although perhaps not in the sense that many had hoped for. Meanwhile, as for the American populace — it’s a different story altogether.
You can connect with me on Bluesky at @rabcarian.bsky.social or follow me on Threads @rabcarian.
