Seal Off The Seal

By Sniffles

America only has one President at a time. This is a mundane rule that usually doesn't have negative ramifications for the country — except for times like now. It would be great if Joe Biden's team could take over the COVID response immediately, for example. Instead they have to wait until noon on January 20 to put their plans for testing, tracing, masking and vaccinating into action.

In normal times, though, "one President" means that only a single individual has the right to, say, fly on Air Force One or speak from behind a lectern bearing the Presidential seal. And that individual is the current chief executive — not a future one, like Joe Biden, and not a former one, like Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, Smirky Bush and Barack Obama. Those guys make due with other logos and letterhead and lectern decor. (And private planes. Carter is the only one we can think of who's been known to fly commercial.)

Since Benedict Donald has been flouting all Presidential protocols (not to mention the rule of law) ever since he set foot in the people's house on January 20, 2017, what do you want to bet he'll keep doing it after January 20, 2021? He'll insist on the Presidential seal and the Presidential flag for whatever events or "shows" he holds to bankroll his shady PAC. (And when he doesn't get them, he'll have someone make knock-offs, like those Chinese purses his daughter sells.) He'll probably demand that the government make Air Force One available to him at the drop of a hat. And when the government refuses, he'll probably repaint his ugly Trumpy plane to look like it.

Trump is famously devoted to protecting, promoting and profiting from his brand, and only his brand. Which means he'll surely violate the Presidential copyright. We cats HISS.