Is it too much to ask or expect that the people holding high level positions in our nation's government should be known as much for their human decency and honesty as for any political skills they might possess?
Two things inform me as I raise this question. First, as a Christian clergy person for over 50 years, I am informed by a biblical passage known as " The last words of David," found in II Samuel: 23:1-4 that says, "He that rules over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God." These words were spoken by King David, the 10th century BC ruler of ancient Israel to his son Solomon who would soon become the ruler of that country. Whether or not either man actually lived up to that standard of ruling with justice and godliness, this was certainly God's expectation for those who would seek to rule or govern over the lives of others.
The second thing that informs my question about decency and honesty in our political leaders is this present moment in American life. As I write this, memorial services are being held in various locations to honor our nation's 39th president, Jimmy Carter. Everyone who has spoken of him has used these words over and over: decency and honesty. His was a life of service to the nation at multiple levels. He served in the U.S. Navy, as Governor of Georgia, and as President of the United States. Upon leaving the White House, he became a global ambassador for democracy, monitoring elections in countries around the world to ensure they were free and fair.
At the same time, he was committed to the hands-on work of Habitat for Humanity where he used his own hands to help build homes for the poor in our country. Decency and honesty certainly applied when it came to Jimmy Carter. The work of justice was always part of his governing strategy.
Now, the term in office for Joe Biden, our nation's 46th president is about to end. There can be no doubt that Biden's term in office was informed by decency, honesty, and a desire to act justly. He was committed to democracy, bi-partisanship, and the rule of law. I did not agree with every action he took, especially as it pertains to events in Gaza where weapons provided by this country were used not just to attack the terrorist group Hamas, but to destroy schools, hospitals, and the neighborhoods of innocent Palestinians.
On the whole, however, his personal and public life embraced the values of the last words of David. He was full of compassion regarding the suffering of people battling sickness, disaster, or blatant acts of terrorism or bigotry or discrimination. He did not lie or make false claims that called into question everything he said to the nation and the world. There was never a day when he was in the White House when I felt ashamed to be a citizen of this country.
Now comes Donald Trump, Act Two. Whatever words people have used to describe his governing style, decency and honesty have not been high on the list. He makes so many false claims and spews forth so many lies, it is impossible for me to believe anything he says.
For instance, Mexico did not pay for the wall at our nation's southern border. The 2020 election was not stolen from him. Haitians living in Springfield, Ohio were not eating the cats and dogs belonging to their neighbors. Trump continues to accuse the so-called "Central Park Five" of a crime from which they have all been cleared. He lied about taking classified government documents to his private residence in Florida. The members of the January 6th committee authorized by Congress did not commit treason by investigating Trump's role in attempting to overturn the election of Joe Biden. Moreover, the hundreds of people serving prison terms for storming our nation's capitol are not patriots, and they should not be pardoned for their actions on his behalf.
Now he is at it again as it involves the terrorist attack in New Orleans last week. With absolutely no evidence to support his claim, and with multiple agencies refuting his claim, he insists that the man who carried out that attack came across the southern border in order to carry out that deadly deed. He ignores the fact that the man was a U.S. citizen born and living in Texas who was a veteran of the U. S. military.
I wonder why he did not make a similar claim about the man who detonated a car full of explosives outside of Trump's own hotel in Las Vegas? Is it because the active military person in the Las Vegas attack was white, while the man in New Orleans was black and had an Islamic name? Donald Trump is not waiting to be inaugurated as the 47th president before he knowingly and intentionally misrepresents the truth.
It is going to be a long four years with a leader who is totally unfamiliar with of decency and honesty. Rest in peace, Jimmy Carter. May God continue to bless you, Joe Biden. Both of you understood the last words of David. Donald Trump has absolutely no clue about such things.
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The Rev. Dr. Marvin A. McMickle is pastor emeritus of Antioch Baptist Church in Cleveland, Ohio. He also served as president of Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, Rochester, New York, from 2011 to 2019.
