I’ve been witnessing what seems like two parallel presidential transitions. There’s the official transition, full of ceremony and grandeur, which is the traditional peaceful handover of power. This process saw Vice President Kamala Harris overseeing the election results certification, even in defeat, and President Joe Biden welcoming his successor, Donald Trump, back into the White House. I watched as former Presidents, including Bill Clinton, gathered to honor Trump’s second inauguration. This event stood in stark contrast to the chaos of four years ago when the Capitol was assaulted and Trump opted to skip Biden’s inauguration.
Today, however, the focus isn’t on which candidate wins, but on the strength and triumph of democracy itself. This official transition was conducted with order. Meanwhile, a different kind of transition is underway—not one of power, but of the underlying political framework guiding those in power. Tonight, President Biden made headlines by granting a pardon to his son, Hunter—a move he had long claimed he wouldn’t make. This decision sparked a wave of criticism, and it wasn’t just from Republicans. Many saw it as an example of hypocrisy.
Joe Biden’s decision to pardon Hunter, who had become a target for Trump’s supporters, felt like a preventive measure. Biden already endured the loss of two children, and I can empathize with his reluctance to face losing a third. Nonetheless, the pardons extended further, covering individuals like Anthony Fauci and members of his own family. Such actions set a concerning precedent. Beyond pardons, Biden chose not to enforce the TikTok ban, which he himself had enacted, and also controversially announced the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, citing Virginia’s approval as the 38th state.
This attempt to elevate Biden’s stature was transparent. The amendment was not truly ratified, given Congress set a deadline back in 1982. Even Biden’s Justice Department understood Virginia’s move to be inconsequential. These actions seemed designed to amplify Biden’s legacy in his final presidency days, a symbolic exertion of power rather than a substantive one.
Reflecting on 2020 Biden, who promised restraint and adherence to constitutional principles, his eventual departure painted a starkly different picture. This shift suggests either a concession to a new political norm or perhaps a cynical acceptance that things have changed. As Trump embarked on his second term, his actions—like challenging birthright citizenship and seeking legal loopholes—underscore a preference for executive over legislative power.
Standing at Trump’s inauguration were tech moguls like Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Sundar Pichai, and Jeff Bezos. Their presence was notable, as figures from traditional industries were absent. This gathering signified a convergence of business influence and political power, illustrating an oligarchic trend in American leadership. The launch of new crypto tokens by Trump’s family, which surged in value, and Melania Trump’s media deals further highlighted this new era of unabashed profiteering from political status.
Corruption isn’t new in politics, but the current scale of overt self-enrichment feels unprecedented. It’s all unfolding in plain view, and it raises questions—who will challenge or stop this? America’s governance is often perceived as robust, bound by constitutional constraints, yet it relies heavily on a foundation of unwritten norms. When those norms are challenged, the system’s fragility is exposed.
This transition goes beyond a mere change in leadership; it represents a shift in the governing ethos. The rules are evolving, and whether this leads to backlash or consolidation of power remains to be seen. What is clear is that we’re stepping into a new political era—one defined by a transition from one regime to a notably different one.
