On Monday, January 20, Assistant Professor Dr. Lauren Rowlands was interviewed by Fox 7 in Austin, TX. The interview centered on the civics and history behind the presidential transition of power, relevant to Donald Trump retaking the presidential role from Joe Biden that day.
Dr. Rowlands shared that the “salacious” election of 1800 made apparent the need to formalize the transition of power process. The election was characterized by opposing parties spreading misinformation about each other. Later, the Presidential Transition Act of 1963 was passed to minimize the disruption of the government in these transitional periods.
She continued by clarifying that the Constitution outlines the protocol in two main places: Article II, Section I of the Constitution, which provides the presidential criteria and powers, and the 20th Amendment, which asserts an inauguration is necessary for a presidential term to begin and reduces the “lame duck” period.
Finally, Dr. Rowlands discussed contentious transitions throughout history. She stated that “deep political divisions” are often a cause for tension, as was the case in the election of 1860 regarding slavery and the Civil War. Economic turmoil can also be a factor, as was the case in 1932 with the Great Depression.
