The Stench of Seizing Power

While the Democrats who attended celebrate the peaceful transfer of power, Trump proclaims a radical subversive agenda in his inaugural address.

Donald Trump is president of the United States again. On Monday, he delivered a second inaugural address, and it was surprising in a different way from the first. Back in 2017, many were still astonished that, even after taking the oath of office, Trump made no attempt to act even a little presidential. At the time, it was the first sign that his presidency would be something special and that the guardrails of American democracy would be put to the test.

No one has since expected that Trump would be a normal president who respects the rules of democracy. However, Trump’s actual declaration that the United States would expand its territory making reference to the Panama Canal — was astonishing even if it did not get the attention it deserved in the running commentary of the American media.

Trump’s specific announcements were leaked days ago: declaring a national emergency at the southern border, mass deportations, the end of climate protection, an absurd expansion of oil production, an “anti-woke” culture war from the top, establishing loyalty in his administration. A first-class radical agenda. But after eight years of Trumpism, the normalization of extremist insanity is apparently complete. Nobody gets upset anymore.

Unity through Gleichschaltung*

As he did back then, Trump did not even try for cliches such as wanting to be “the president of all Americans.” On the contrary, his speech was a clear broadside to anyone who did not vote for him and who stands elsewhere politically. Nevertheless, Trump sees himself as a “unifier,” as someone who brings people together. At one point, though, he explained what he means by this: A growing part of society joins him and converts to the MAGA movement, unity, that is, through Gleichschaltung.

Trump called Jan. 20, 2025 the day of liberation for Americans and the most consequential transfer of power in American history. Eight years ago, this would have been empty Trump blather. Today, in light of the concentrated power of billionaires who came together under a radical agenda in the Capitol to celebrate their leader, it sounds like the seizure of power. All the more so after he said that both the judiciary and the assassin from Pennsylvania were after his freedom and life. Thanks only to God’s providence that he is alive to make America great again, Trump said.

Every living former president sat next to him, all of them staunch Trump opponents. With their presence, they celebrated the grand tradition of a peaceful transfer of power from one administration to another and themselves as staunch Democrats.** This is right in some way. But it feels incredibly wrong.

*Editor’s note: By Gleichschaltung, the author is apparently referring to the Nazification process by which Adolf Hitler — leader of the Nazi Party in Germany — established a system of totalitarian control and coordination over all aspects of German society.

**Editor’s note: Former President George W. Bush, who attended the inauguration, is a Republican.