In an apparent attempt to quell a political storm building around him, including calls for his resignation or removal, President Trump finally acknowledged he had lost the presidential election.
In a video released Thursday night, the president said his focus now was on an “orderly and seamless transition of power.” The move came just a day after he incited mob violence at the U.S. Capitol that resulted in the deaths of five people.
That focus didn’t last very long, however.
On Friday morning, came another tweet with signature Trump indignation. He asserted that the “patriots” who voted for him “will not be disrespected or treated unfairly in any way, shape or form!!!”
That was followed up with another tweet confirming he would not be attending President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration.
Genuine steps in a peaceful transfer of American power include humility, concession and shows of unity, like, yes, attending an inauguration. It’s something foreign leaders have marveled at with envy as something that makes America great.
Instead for Trump, it’s the same as it ever was. The same defiance, the same grievance, the same victimization mentality that has fueled his right-wing, anti-establishment political power. It’s all just the latest chapter in an erratic and volatile presidency that ends in 12 days.
Trump’s grudging acceptance that he won’t continue to be president after Jan. 20 has done little to quell the determination of scores of lawmakers — a growing number of Republicans included — to make the president pay a price.
Their options are limited, however, particularly by a timeline that makes removing him from office difficult, if not impossible. There are two legal options to remove a president — the 25th Amendment and impeachment. And there are now calls for administration officials and members of the military not to follow presidential orders.
