Even before Donald Trump is re-inaugurated as president, Republicans already are falling in line to join him in flouting norms and traditions. The latest example is Gov. Spencer Cox’s order to raise the flag to full staff on Jan. 20, even though the traditional period of mourning for a deceased president does not end until Jan. 29. This act by Gov. Cox does not bode well for the next four years.
Gov. Cox visited President-elect Trump at Mar-a-Lago recently, along with many other Republicans. If he discussed policy issues, it was appropriate to seek to find common ground with the new president. There are many issues that the new Trump administration will be involved with that affect Utah, such as public lands, water, military bases, etc.
But Gov. Cox and others must draw the line on Trump’s propensity to upend traditions that have been respected by Americans for decades. The flag issue is just one example of how Trump seeks to honor himself more than respect customary practices — and how he expects other Republican leaders to do the same for him.
Gov. Cox should not follow along. Instead, he should stand up for those norms that respect others, regardless of party affiliation. He need not say anything, except simply that he will continue to honor President Jimmy Carter as he would any president who passes away and receives an official mourning period, and, even more importantly, abide by the tradition of admiration we give to our late presidents. It is a sign of respect that President-elect Trump will want himself some day, and those same Republican leaders likely would be upset if a future Democratic president decides not to bestow it. That prospect seems more likely now that Trump is breaking tradition.
This may seem like a small thing, but the problem is that, with President-elect Trump, one thing leads to another. And what happens subsequently often turns out badly. When Trump first ran for president, other Republican politicians excused his bluster. Then, it was his immorality. Finally, it was his criminality. The result was Republican politicians, including some from Utah, defending behavior by Trump they would likely never do themselves and, in the process, urging other Americans to malign the justice system that all Americans should respect.
The fact that Gov. Cox feels compelled to join the movement of Republican governors to satisfy Trump on this issue is disappointing. Utahns should hold their leaders to a higher standard.
This is where Gov. Cox should draw the line on trying to cater to Trump. He should place respect for our nation’s traditions above Trump’s personal vendettas against any Democrats who are gleeful the flag might be at half-staff during his inauguration. He should not join in the pettiness surrounding this issue. Doing so now will make the future pressures by Trump easier to resist. And Donald Trump’s first term shows such pressures will surely come.
(Richard Davis) Richard Davis is a professor emeritus at BYU.
Richard Davis is a professor emeritus at BYU. He is the author of “The Liberal Soul: Applying the Gospel of Jesus Christ to Politics.”
The Salt Lake Tribune is committed to creating a space where Utahns can share ideas, perspectives and solutions that move our state forward. We rely on your insight to do this. Find out how to share your opinion here, and email us at voices@sltrib.com.
