Trump’s transition moves demonstrate his desire for unity

OPINION:

Expectations are high for the beginning of Donald Trump’s second term, and the evidence shows Americans are just as eager for a return to better times as the president-elect.

“This will be the most exciting and successful period of reform and renewal in all of American history, maybe of global history. The Golden Age of America … it’s begun,” he said in a news conference on Monday at Mar-a-Lago.

While some Washington insiders fret about the prospect of their free lunches being taken away, most of the country likes what it is seeing. Mr. Trump has rolled out his Cabinet picks in a way that illustrates the benefit of having outsiders take a fresh look at what government ought to do better.

Real Clear Polling’s average of the latest public opinion surveys reveals Mr. Trump’s favorability rating has entered positive territory, running between 2% and 8%, depending on who’s asking the questions. According to Gallup, President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have negative favorability ratings to the tune of 15% and 12%, respectively — despite their receiving far more positive media coverage.

The public’s mood influences Capitol Hill, which is warming to the idea of cooperation. The Department of Government Efficiency project has lined up supportive words from four House Democrats. They’ll be needed when it comes to securing congressional votes to implement the informal body’s cost-cutting recommendations.

Last week, 29 Democrats joined Republicans in creating 22 new federal judge slots that Mr. Trump will be able to fill. This suggests things can get done, despite the GOP’s slim House majority. Over in the upper chamber, Sen. John Fetterman, Pennsylvania Democrat, recently met with Tulsi Gabbard, Pete Hegseth and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Mr. Fetterman didn’t immediately reject the idea of voting for any of these Cabinet nominees. Likewise, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Massachusetts Democrat, is meeting with Scott Turner, Mr. Trump’s pick to run the Department of Housing and Urban Development. She says she will keep an open mind when he comes up for a vote.

Time will tell, but the transition team is upbeat. It’s an optimism that has spread to small-business owners across the nation. They’re more bullish now than they’ve been since the days of President Ronald Reagan, according to the National Federation of Independent Business, a group that has been checking the pulse of its members for the past 50 years. They’re hopeful Mr. Trump will make permanent the 20% small-business tax deduction that’s about to expire.

It’s not clear whether ABC News will be able to deduct as a charitable contribution the $15 million donation it just made to Mr. Trump’s presidential library. The network signed the check to make amends for its inappropriate conduct, saying: “ABC News and George Stephanopoulos regret statements regarding Donald J. Trump made during an interview by George Stephanopoulos with Rep. Nancy Mace on ABC’s This Week on March 10, 2024.”

Mr. Trump had sued over those statements, and the evidence must have been pretty damning. A prominent public figure needs to prove “actual malice” to prevail in such a suit. This, and a pending legal action against CBS News, may prompt more accurate second-term coverage.

Mr. Trump’s comeback begins on a high note. Inaugural addresses typically indulge in a theme of unity that doesn’t always ring true. With the public on his side this time, Mr. Trump has the opportunity to deliver.