The Pivot
Those who voted reluctantly for Donald Trump but wanted to “give him a
chance” expressed confidence that, once in office, he would “pivot”: he
would govern within the bounds of historical precedence and the norms
of presidential behavior. Although he pledged to be disruptive, we
would see productive change; the American story would forge ahead.
Seven months into his presidency, we see a backward pivot perhaps not
anticipated by his supporters. Two recent events—Trump’s responses to
the Charlottesville conflagration and his pardon of Sheriff Joe
Arpaio—inescapably reinforce a pattern evident since his inauguration
but now shifted to new extremes. The president will inflame divisive
passions in the American citizenry to advance his political strategies.
With his latest actions he has set a match to conflicts about race and
deepened doubts that he honors the rule of law. Did
his reluctant supporters anticipate that, once elected, he would
continue to appease his extremist far right supporters for the sake of
holding his base? That he would flout customary judicial
procedures to send signals to those who approved of Arpaio’s flagrant
abuses of the law?
Think back to October, 2016 when Trump raged daily that the election
was “rigged” by nebulous forces supporting “crooked Hillary.” He left
no doubt that were he to lose, he would trash the constitutional system
upon which our country’s government is based. Trump issued then his
warning that the only values he held sacred were those worshipped in the
temple of Trump. Were you listening?
Publishing history
Albany Times Union 9/4
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