What would happen if a major political party engaged in obstructionism toward a new presidential administration from Day One?
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That is a Deep Thought raised in this New York Times piece, which is focused on the controversy at Talladega College, a tiny, very poor (it doesn’t have the extra $60,000 it needs to pay for this “honor”), historically black institution, which agreed to send its new band to perform in the inauguration:
On Thursday, after days of speculation that the college administration might bow to the pressure and remove the band from the parade roster, the president of Talladega College, Billy Hawkins, issued a statement confirming the participation of the band, the Marching Tornadoes, and argued, in essence, that the 58th presidential inauguration is about something bigger than Mr. Trump.
“We respect and appreciate how our students and alumni feel about our participation in this parade,” Dr. Hawkins said. “As many of those who chose to participate in the parade have said, we feel the inauguration of a new president is not a political event but a civil ceremony celebrating the transfer of power.”
And beyond Talladega, the controversies raise tough questions for Mr. Trump’s most ardent critics as his presidency dawns: What is the proper response to a president as polarizing as Mr. Trump? Should the office of the president be honored, no matter who fills it? Or should there be four years of pure rejection and defiance?
And if Mr. Trump’s opponents refuse to participate in his presidency, can critics on the right do the same thing to some other president-elect in the future?
I rate this question “troubling.”
*Doesn’t The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints hate Trump? What’s up with sending their band? (I assume the Barzini family is forcing the Rockettes to perform so that’s less mysterious).