Daily Verse | Genesis 47:20
So Joseph bought all the land in Egypt for Pharaoh.
Wednesday and it’s the changing of the guard. Wax figure-head Joseph Marionette Robinette Biden Jr. is scheduled to be sworn in at noon as the forty-sixth president* of the United States of America today.
As I wrote yesterday, what we’re witnessing is unprecedented in the annals of American history—the massive military build-up in Washington, D.C., the largely virtual nature of the swearing-in ceremony and festivities, and the oddly compelling activities in these last few days of Trump’s presidency.
In addition to those I listed yesterday, Trump declassified all of the Russia! Russia! Russia! hoax documents yesterday—over the objections of the FBI, I might add. What goodies might we find in there?
CIA Director Gina Haspel abruptly resigned yesterday.
Also Tuesday a federal judge ordered “the unsealing and release of dozens of documents in a now-settled civil suit involving Ghislaine Maxwell,” the alleged co-conspirator of Jeffrey Epstein. When those documents drop, so will lots of big names.
Trump gave his farewell speech yesterday. You can read the transcript here and listen to it below.
Some quick observations.
- Trump is clearly transitioning to a new administration. He did not name Biden at any point in his speech, but he said several things that indicated he is leaving, such as, “Now, as I prepare to hand power over to a new administration at noon on Wednesday …” I believe Trump means it and is leaving office. I expect that president* Biden will assume office at noon.
- Trump made a slightly cryptic remark early in the address as he spoke of the new administration: “We extend our best wishes, and we also want them to have luck — a very important word.” This seems odd to me. Is he speaking off the cuff here? Trump often mangles his grammar and syntax, but this is an especially tortured way to wish someone “good luck.” Maybe that’s what he meant. Or maybe he knows something they don’t and what he means is, “good luck—you’re gonna need it.”
- He said, “I want you to know that the movement we started is only just beginning.” For me, that’s probably the most encouraging thing he said. He has so much political capital with upwards of 75 million people that I’d be disappointed if he just banked it and didn’t use it.
- He ended his speech on an upbeat note by saying, “I go from this majestic place with a loyal and joyful heart, an optimistic spirit, and a supreme confidence that for our country and for our children, the best is yet to come.” Really? It’s easy to take this for the “rainbows and unicorns” boilerplate that’s added to so many political speeches, especially in light of the incoming administration. If he means what he says, I wonder what he sees that I don’t, because I, for one, don’t see the best coming.
He also listed his administration’s achievements, spoke of the importance of a shared national identity, and addressed the unthinkable “political censorship and blacklisting” that is happening in our country.
The address struck the right tone to close the curtain on one of the most remarkable and polarizing presidencies in modern American politics. Historians will be studying Trump’s presidency long into the future.
But now, as they say, gird your loins.
You need to watch this video and be prepared for the hatred about to be unleashed on you. Pay attention to the absolutely rabid frothing toward Trump and his supporters. It’s palpable.
If all goes as planned and the Democrats wind up with the White House and both chambers of Congress for the next four years, you can pretty much say good-bye to America as envisioned by our Founders.
Don’t believe me? Here’s House Joint Resolution 14, filed January 11, 2021:
“Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to abolish the electoral college and to provide for the direct election of the President and Vice President of the United States.”
They mean business and are wasting no time.