Despite his abrasive style and controversial policies, President Trump has expressed a desire to be a 'peacemaker and unifier'. A recent poll reveals a strong bipartisan commitment to upholding the Constitution, even if it hinders his agenda. This raises the question: Can Trump transform his divisive persona into a force for national healing?
Donald Trump has returned to the presidency with gusto. Within the torrent of executive orders he signed upon entering office was a freeze on all federal grants, spurring legal debates about the constitutionality of the effort. Most recently, the Trump administration set its sights on shutting down the Department of Education.
This raises a consequential question: Are Trump’s supporters so eager to see him get things done that they would support him overriding the Constitution? The answer is a resounding “no.” In a poll of 2,005 people in mid-January, a bipartisan consensus of people remains committed to seeing Trump operate within the bounds of the Constitution, even if that comes at the cost of his effectiveness. Overall, 74% of people and 73% of Republicans say Trump “should always follow the Constitution, even if it means he can’t get things done.” By contrast, 15% of people and 17% of Republicans believe instead that Trump “should get things done, even if it means ignoring the Constitution.” (The remainder “don’t know.”)Constitutional challenges aside, it’s undeniable that Trump’s opening volley of executive orders immediately spurred his agenda into action. While this has caused no small amount of panic and stress, it may bring about a break from the lethargic, hopeless mood that has characterized the country of late. Republicans were much more likely to say that they were “hopeful” or “disappointed” than they were to express that they were “excited” or “proud.” Democrats were muted, conveying that they were “disappointed” and “anxious,” but few said they were “angry.” This past week may have helped set a new tone. But where Republicans and Democrats appear entirely aligned is on the big picture of America’s polarization. Among two dozen descriptors, the most commonly selected word to describe our country today among Democrats, Republicans, and independents alike was “divided.”This emphasis on our divisions is reflected in our hopes, too. When asked to imagine “10 years into the future,” the quality that people most chose to define their “ideal American society” is to be “united.” What is striking about people’s desire to be united is how poorly it is recognized. We asked Democrats and Republicans to estimate what the other side most wanted in their ideal future. Each consistently underestimated the degree to which being united was among their priorities. Rather than correctly perceiving unity as the top priority, each party interprets the other as favoring its ideological goals. Trump, however, appears to recognize the centrality of our goal to overcome our divisions. From his Republican primary victory in November, he has emphasized the need for the country to come together and overcome its divisions. In his most recent inaugural address, Trump stated that his “proudest legacy will be that of a peacemaker and unifier.” He underscored the point: “That’s what I want to be. A peacemaker and a unifier.” While Trump remains a harshly divisive character, he has the capacity to transform himself into a unifier. His favorability has steadily grown, displaying greater intergenerational and multiracial support than any modern Republican president. Whether he can ultimately serve a unifying role for the nation will hinge upon the choices he makes in the months and years to come. Unwinding our divisions should begin with honoring the bipartisan call for him to honor the limits of the Constitution
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