Be the adults in the room. To do that, I suggest following four simple suggestions:
1. Be present and attentive. You don’t like it, but under
our cherished system of government, Trump is the elected president. You would
have appeared for Harris; show up for Trump. You would have been attentive to
Harris; be respectful of the Office of the President, even if you despise its
current occupant. When Trump is introduced to the joint gathering of Congress,
stand, showing your respect for the Office and its traditions.
2. When Trump says something you disagree with, meet it with
stony silence. Clasp your hands together on your lap and leave them there unless
a situation covered by suggestion 3 occurs. Keep your focus on Trump. Don’t
roll your eyes at your friends. Feel free to look daggers at Trump, but keep
your mouth shut and quiet. Showing no more response than this will drive Trump bonkers.
He feeds on negative reactions to his statements and stunts—do not fall for it.
Let him fail or succeed entirely on his own words, not your reaction to it.
3. Should Trump happen (and yes, I know this is unlikely) to
say anything you agree with, show your agreement by clapping, just as you would
have for Harris. If you really agree, stand up and cheer. Despite everything news
and social media feed us, there are many things Republicans, Democrats, and
Independents agree on. It is not impossible that Trump will mention at
least one of these. Should that occur, respond positively to show you can
recognize common ground and will work across the aisle to solve issues.
4. You showed unity in voting against the recent House Budget
Resolution. Allow whomever the party designates as its spokesperson to respond
for the entire party. Refer all requests for comments, interviews, etc. to that
person’s response. There will be plenty of time for each of you to let your individual
responses be known, but for this news cycle, let the contrast be between whatever
Trump says in his speech and the single response.
Thank you for your attention.
