The Problem with "Patriotic Devotion"

On January 25th the United States Federal Register published a text signed by Trump on Inauguration Day. The document, titled "National Day of Patriotic Devotion," has received relatively little media attention because this kind of presidential proclamation is merely symbolic and has no legal impact on anything. Furthermore, there's nothing newsworthy in the gesture itself. The act of signing a symbolic declaration on inauguration day is a fairly recent tradition that began with the presidency of George H.W. Bush. Trump's statement declares his own inauguration "a day of Patriotic Devotion." This is troubling to me. In familiar and predictable fashion, there is not a hint of humility. Rather, the use of the words "sacred" (as in "sacred values and heritage") and "devotion" strike a tone that suggests an authoritarian call to worship. Trump worship. (In fairness, it should be pointed out that in 2009 Obama's proclamation also used the word "sacred"; in his case, referring to the "sacred oath" he had just taken.) For me, the problem is that devotion, by definition, is a sentiment, a posture, that is unquestioning, and patriotism should never be unquestioning. This is especially true for a society that proclaims liberty and democracy as core values. Unquestioning devotion is simply incompatible with democracy. And with freedom. Indeed, unquestioning patriotism has been the drug of choice used by despots throughout history to further enslave those they rule over. (Justin McCurry, writing in The Guardian, points out the use of this phrase in North Korean propaganda.) So what to make of this? Sadly, tragically, this is who Trump is. His megalomania is well documented. And his constant slamming of the media (don't forget how he would continually set his crowds on the press corps during the campaign) illustrates quite well his inability to accept either any kind of criticism or to engage in real dialogue. These are, of course, among the symptoms of a narcissist. He will not change. Resistance.