As the United States digests the general election results, sweeping Donald Trump back into the White House as the (incoming) 47th President, a pall of quietness has fallen on the nation.
That quietness was unusual considering that, typically, when the results are known, the opposition would rise immediately and start making new noise. It happened in 2016 when the election was called for Trump (as 45) by Democrats crying foul.
That noise continued for the four years that Trump was president and then for the next four years, warning the nation of his return during the current administration of Joseph Biden.
Perhaps the nation was so hopped up on noise from the past 8 years that it may have felt normal to continue to hear it. But with everything going quiet, albeit the pops and bangs coming from sources on the nominees from Trump, there has been nothing.
PC: Screenshot of ACLU post from the author’s computer.
Nothing, that is, until this blogger noticed a full-page advertisement in the New York Times from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) informing the nation, addressed to President-elect Trump, that it was ready to counter him again.
Call it the second fight between epic fighters…call it Rumble in D.C. Round 2.
However the reader interprets this news, what struck this blogger was how quickly the ACLU responded—delivering a message to the incoming administration just days after the election results were announced. Even more compelling, though, was the tone they struck in addressing the President. Unlike the emotional rhetoric that dominated the campaign, the ACLU’s message was measured and calm, a stark contrast to the usual political noise.
In short, the advertisement by the ACLU had all the dispassionate tone of Frank Reagan from Blue Bloods, but you could see the tension in his face when he told someone “I’m always watching.”
The ad says this in many more words, with the tongue-in-cheek declaration, “And we’re not moving to Canada”.
Beyond a single ad or one organization, there’s a broader, ongoing effort to hold the administration accountable—a watchdog that will continue to keep a close eye on the White House. The conflicts that divide this country, from civil rights to indigenous, religious, and federal land issues, won’t simply disappear just because the political landscape shifts. Even with conservative leadership now in control of the White House, Congress, and a conservative-leaning Supreme Court, these issues will persist.
In other words, the challenges won’t vanish with the change in power—they’ll remain, demanding attention and action.
So stay tuned, and note that even in this day and age, there are always two sides to an issue, despite the electoral results sweeping in only one political philosophy. So, while the political landscape shifts, the battle for the nation’s future rages on. Stay tuned—this story is far from over.
Politics Hawaii with Stan Fichtman is a recipient of a 2023 Hawaii Society of Professional Journalist award.