How Can We Effectively Evaluate the New Trump Administration?
The Truthdig team discusses Donald Trump's looming swearing-in, tensions in Congress and how decades of politics brought us to this unprecedented moment in U.S. history.
From left: Communications coordinator Sarah Wesley, Deputy Editor Kasia Anderson, Editor in Chief Robert Scheer and staff writer Emma Niles.
The inauguration of a new president is usually a celebratory affair in Washington, D.C., but Donald Trump is likely to face intense opposition when he is sworn in Friday.
Fifty-five House Democrats have said they will boycott the event, and thousands of people are expected to protest throughout the weekend.
The Truthdig team gathered for a live discussion Thursday, streamed to our Facebook page, about protests, the incoming administration and the future of objective journalism:
Although many Americans are afraid of the incoming Trump administration, Editor in Chief Robert Scheer explained that Trump is not a political outlier, referencing decades of historical precedents. He added that the mainstream media need to keep this context in mind when reporting on the Trump administration.
“Our country has fallen into this pattern where our short-term memory is really, really short,” agreed Deputy Editor Kasia Anderson.
The team also debated the role of Democratic politicians in the face of a GOP-led Congress, speculated on Trump’s foreign policy and responded to the question, “Which of Trump’s Cabinet picks is the most egregious?”
“We are afraid of Donald Trump,” summed up staff writer Emma Niles, “but we will report on it objectively.”
Many Americans are expressing similar sentiments toward the incoming president, including numerous members of Congress.
“I don’t see this president-elect as a legitimate president,” Georgia Rep. John Lewis, a Democrat, famously said last week.
Asked about the growing number of politicians who won’t be attending the inauguration, Trump said, “That’s OK, because we need seats so badly. I hope they give me their tickets.”
Meanwhile, people around the country are preparing to rally in support of Saturday’s Women’s March on Washington. More than 600 cities around the world are hosting versions of the march, and tens of thousands are expected to turn out for the event in Washington.
Observers note that Trump has the lowest approval rating of any president-elect in recent history.
How will a peaceful transfer of power take place in this environment? And what do the protests say about the future of American democracy under Trump? Check out Truthdig Editor in Chief Robert Scheer and his team’s live video discussion at Truthdig’s Facebook page.
Watch past editions of “Live at Truthdig” here.
—Posted by Emma Niles
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