How not to respond to Donald Trump

Donald Trump won. Petition-signing and name-calling won't change that.

Protests won't change the fact that he will be President.
(Image credit: AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

America is still stunned by Donald Trump's victory in the presidential election. And that shocking surprise, combined with the president-elect's extreme policy positions, long track record of incendiary statements, and temperamental instability have sent American political culture into a tailspin, with angry hyperbolic assertions flying in every direction.

For now, American political institutions continue to function as they were designed to do. But in the weeks, months, and years to come, these institutions are likely to endure more stress than they have in a very long time. Those of us who strongly opposed Donald Trump face the considerable challenge of responding to him constructively, responsibly, and in a way that doesn't end up inadvertently empowering him even further by increasing his popularity and weakening the very institutions that will be required to constrain him.

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Damon Linker

Damon Linker is a senior correspondent at TheWeek.com. He is also a former contributing editor at The New Republic and the author of The Theocons and The Religious Test.