Not an Article about the 25th Amendment*
President Trump tweeted today “...remember this day forever…”
Here are some other Presidential moments that have not been forgotten
Amazing Grace
Just a week prior to President Obama's eulogy at Charleston’s Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Dylann Roof had entered the church, and murdered nine people in cold blood. Obama not only needed to console the parishioners of the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, but also soothe an old wound steeped in the Confederacy. His leading the congregation in ‘Amazing Grace’ cemented a president’s role not only as a Commander in Chief, but also as the Consoler in Chief and a healer; a human being who is honestly unafraid to understand emotion, and be emotional. That the superman of this superpower could be relatably human, was truly a defining moment not just for him and our country, but also for the Presidency and what it truly stands for.
I can hear you!
Given just days after the 9/11 terror attacks that took nearly 3000 lives, George W. Bush’s famous bullhorn speech still resonates with us decades later.
President Bush was regarded as one of the least popular presidents to leave office, but during that time of crisis he spoke directly to the American people, providing them much needed reassurance and hope during a time of fear. He made sure that the American people knew that they were heard: “I can hear you! I can hear you! The rest of the world hears you. And the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon.”
If I can’t be President, I can hold his hat
“If I can’t be the President, at least I can hold his hat.” Stephen Douglas reportedly said these words during Abraham Lincoln’s first inauguration after he took the President’s hat as Lincoln gave his inaugural address.
Lincoln’s gesture of passing Douglas his top hat during his own presidential inauguration showed his ability to reconcile, as he prepared to lead a divided nation on the brink of Civil War, while Douglas’ indicated his acceptance of Lincoln’s victory.
A decent family man
During the 2008 election, Senator McCain may have strongly disagreed with President Obama on many issues, but he still respected President Obama as an American citizen, and a public servant even if it wasn’t politically expedient to do so. McCain repeatedly defended the character of his political opponent at a townhall, when his supporters referred to Obama as “an Arab: who they “couldn’t trust” and was “in cohorts with domestic terrorists”. To McCain, Obama was “a decent family man, citizen” who he happened “to have disagreements with.” McCain displayed true leadership, character, and honesty that day. He placed his country over his political interests.
Ask what kind of a nation we are and what direction we want to move in
Martin Luther King Junior was shot at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 4, 1968. Riots broke out in over 100 American cities in the weeks following King’s murder.
Yet, the city of Indianapolis, Indiana remained at peace because one man seized control of the situation. Presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy brought the difficult news about MLK’s assassination to the masses in a way that united the people rather than stoked further division and hatred.
Yes, we should remember January 6, 2021 forever; albeit as a day that lacked everything that has defined us over the past 250 years.
The day however will help define our path ahead.
* 25th Amendment : https://constitutioncenter.org/interactive-constitution/amendment/amendment-xxv
