Millions of us in the United States are deflated, demoralized and even scared after the 2024 presidential election has been called for Donald Trump. How do those of us who not only voted for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz but also may have supported them financially cope with this tremendous loss? How do we move forward? What will our country look like in the coming months and years?
Many of us have been on the losing end of elections in the past. Because of the character of Donald Trump, the people with whom he surrounds himself, the ideas he promotes, and the specter of the right-wing manifesto, Project 2025, which, in 900 pages, outlines dozens of frightening policy suggestions, this loss feels significantly different. 
As many experts have pointed out repeatedly, Trump is no conservative in the normal American sense of the word; rather, he has been designated a fascist by respected Americans who worked side-by-side with him in his first administration. Even his VP pick, Ohio Senator JD Vance, equated Trump with Hitler. Apparently for the millions of Americans who have voted for the Trump-Vance ticket, these shortcomings were either attractive or paled in comparison with other issues.
Some of us are inherently optimistic, despite challenging circumstances. How might optimists, only a few days after the election and before Trump assumes office on January 20, 2025, demonstrate optimism – not only to keep ourselves from falling into despair but also to help our fellow citizens and perhaps find ways to serve the common good? In the spirit of optimism…
- The threat of violence had been looming over this election because of what Trump and his supporters (including many who are in jail serving felony sentences) did on January 6, 2021, and because of Trump’s violent rhetoric since then. There was a real possibility, according to security experts, that we would have experienced a certain level of violence had Harris and Walz won and Trump claimed that the election results were fraudulent. Since most of the political violence in the past few years has been perpetrated by those on the right, not the left, perhaps we will be spared violence, at least in support of Trump.
- It is an interesting thought exercise, given Trump’s recent comment that he should not have left the White House in 2021, to consider what Trump supporters and others on the right would do if Joe Biden decided to stay in the White House in January. However, Biden is dedicated to the Constitution and the rule of law, so this possibility is quite unthinkable.
This time, there should be a true smooth transition of power, as occurred for the whole of our history except when Trump lost the 2020 election. - The results of the 2024 election are fairly clear, so there should be no protracted period of disagreement leading up to Inauguration Day, at least in the presidential race. There may still be lingering questions about some elections around the country.
- Kamala Harris should be roundly applauded for having run an exemplary campaign and getting as far as she did in less than four months. She should also be praised – and thanked – for crafting a strong, hopeful national coalition of citizens from across the political spectrum. We have never in our lifetime seen such a viable bipartisan coalition – and it was due to a Democrat, a woman, and a woman of color, for that matter. What is the possibility that millions of Americans – no matter whom they voted for – can keep the energy of this coalition going, for the sake of the common good?
- The Senate has now been “flipped” to the advantage of Trump and the GOP.
This has far-reaching consequences. As one of the pundits has noted, this advantage may only last two years – a different set of 33 Senators will be up for re-election in 2026, and 20 of those are Republicans. The Democrats could well flip the Senate back to their side – as long as Trump and his supporters do not find a way to prevent the American people from voting in that election… - There are now millions of Americans who have expressed their displeasure with the Biden-Harris Administration (to say the least) over the past four years who should now be quite happy! We can only hope that their satisfaction with the result of the election will “turn down the temperature” of our discourse, so that we can function fairly normally in our communities – at least for awhile.
- Leaders in the European Union and other sister nations around the world are incredibly nervous about another Trump presidency. A great deal of good that the Biden-Harris Administration has done to knit our coalitions back together after Trump sundered them can come undone – to the detriment of the world – once Trump takes office again.
Is this an opportunity for the EU and other advanced democracies to take a larger leadership role in protecting democratic systems than they have in the past?
- The 2024 election will bring several new Democratic faces and voices into the Senate chamber (in addition to all those who have been reelected). We can offer them our support and hope that their contributions will uplift and inspire us all.
- Angela Alsobrooks, the County Executive of Prince George’s County, Maryland, became the first Black woman from Maryland to be elected to the Senate.
- New Jersey US Rep. Andy Kim is the first Korean American senator in US history. He takes the seat of the disgraced longtime Democratic Senator, Bob Menendez, who was federally indicted in a global bribery scheme.
- Delaware US Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester, an African American, has been a member of the House Committee on Agriculture and the Congressional Progressive Caucus.
- US Rep. Adam Schiff of California is well-known as the lead Manager for the first Trump impeachment trial, which secured “the first bipartisan vote ever to impeach a sitting president.” Schiff takes over the Senate seat of the late Dianne Feinstein, who served for 31 years.
Many of us combine our inherent optimism and our activism with prayer. The Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal tradition offers several prayers and a litany that may be helpful in this moment (slightly modified below):
For our country:
Almighty God, who has given us this good land for our heritage: We humbly beseech you that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of your favor and glad to do your will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in your Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to your law, we may show forth your praise among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in you to fail. Amen.
For courts of justice:
Almighty God, who sits on the throne judging right: We humbly beseech you to bless the courts of justice and the magistrates in all this land; and give to them the spirit of wisdom and understanding, that they may discern the truth, and impartially administer the law for the sake of your people. Amen.
A litany for sound government:
O Lord, bless the leaders of our land, that we may be a people at peace among ourselves and a blessing to other nations of the earth.
Lord, keep this nation under your care.
To the President and members of the Cabinet, to Governors of States, Mayors of Cities, and to all in administrative authority, grant wisdom and grace in the exercise of their duties.
Give grace to your servants, O Lord.
To Senators and Representatives, and those who make our laws in States, Cities, and Towns, give courage, wisdom, and foresight to provide for the needs of all our people, and to fulfill our obligations in the community of nations.
Give grace to your servants, O Lord.
To the Judges and officers of our Courts give understanding and integrity, that human rights may be safeguarded and justice served.
Give grace to your servants, O Lord.
And finally, teach our people to accept their responsibilities to their fellow citizens, that they may elect trustworthy leaders and make wise decisions for the well-being of our society. Amen.