With his wife, Melania, by his side, Donald J. Trump stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial today less than 24 hours before becoming the 45^th President of the United States. He stood there on the precipice of the past and the future, a symbolic reminder of yet another time of deep division in America. Historically a time of reflection and anticipation, the build up to this transition has, at times, seemed sinister as opponents have fanned their displeasure by vowing to disrupt the festivities with protests, some even calling for violence.

Disappointingly, more than 70 members of Congress have vowed to boycott the official ceremony.

To his credit, President Barack Obama on Wednesday declined to fuel the issue by sidestepping a question on the boycott during the final press conference of his presidency.

“With respect to the inauguration, I’m not going to comment on those issues,” President Obama said. “All I know is I’m going to be there, so is Michelle.”

He went on to say that it was his intention to help foster the “peaceful transfer of power,” AOL News reported.

In his own pre-inauguration interview with FOX’s Ainsley Earnhardt, Trump said his first order of business during his inaugural speech will be to thank all of the former Presidents, including his immediate predecessor, President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama, whom he singled out as being “absolutely nice.”

“They have been so gracious,” Trump told her.

It is our prayer that the next administration will be able to follow in the footsteps of our 16^th President, Abraham Lincoln, who deftly guided this nation through an earlier, turbulent time.