Survey results: Butler County residents weigh in on the transition of power for public office
In the days leading up to the inauguration of Donald Trump to his second term in office, Butler County residents shared their perspectives on how the transition of power for executive branch of the federal government should look.
Residents, amid the transition process that ends on Jan. 20, shared their perspectives on the process between the Trump and Joe Biden administrations following the 2020 and 2024 elections.
“Old president out Jan. 20, new president in January 20. That simple,” said Butler County Republican, Robert Olson, in response to a survey the Butler Eagle circulated on social media in early January.
Olson was one of 11 respondents who shared their own understanding of the transition of power for the president.
On a scale of 1 to 10, the group gauged their own understanding of the process at an average of 8.3.
When asked to explain what the transition of power should look like, all participants of the survey expressed a desire for a peaceful process.
“The information, plans, commitments, expectations and more should always be shared between administrations,” said Kevin Cannon, who did not say he identified with a political party. “The idea that there are two Americas, rather than two parties, is not just anti-American, but also puts us in a never-ending position of risk.”
All respondents to the survey agreed that the transition process should be more transparent, though respondents were not united in the degree to which transparency should extend.
Many respondents felt that the transfer of power after the 2020 election was not smooth, commonly citing the events of Jan. 6, 2021.
“There was no decorum, respect or order,” Jordan Rodgers, who identified himself as a Democrat, said on Jan. 6, 2021.
Olson did not believe that the process was completely smooth after the 2020 election either, but felt the issue was primarily related to the incoming Biden administration. Olson believes Biden was, and continues to be, unfit for office.
“Biden has been gone mentally for his entire four year term,” Olson said.
While some respondents felt neutral about the transition for this term, others felt an increased smoothness compared to 2020. No respondents stated that the current transition was rough.
Some residents of Butler County, when asked in-person, expressed a disinterest in speaking on anything related to the matter, with a common sentiment of fear shared across members. This same phenomenon was echoed in the survey, where half the respondents refused to share their personal details.
One resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said that she felt wholly uncomfortable discussing the transition of power publicly.
The resident worried about the backlash related to her own personal opinions on the matter. She felt that backlash may come from both people in her life and those who could “read my name in the paper.”
Julian Bowman, a resident of Butler, was willing to speak on his own perspective, which he expressed is rooted concepts of unity and mutual respect.
“At this point, Trump has already won the election. Regardless of how you feel, we need to work together,” Bowman said.
Bowman mentioned news related to Trump’s recent appointments, expressing his belief that social media encourages public discourse, sometimes for the wrong reasons.
“I think a lot of the reactions to Trump’s appointments doesn’t do much more than give people something to argue about,” Bowman said. “He’s going to choose whoever he wants.”
Bowman also mentioned he believes that increased awareness of the transition process helps raise transparency from politicians.
“So much of what they do will be all over social media and the news. I’d like to think that keeps them more accountable,” Bowman said.
Regardless of political differences, the respondents overwhelmingly expressed a desire for a smooth, seamless and transparent process from our elected officials.
