For many moons over the Potomac River, the protocol for inaugurations has been as immutable and as dignified as the words of presidents engraved on their monuments.

Leaders and luminaries would put aside their grudges and come together to celebrate democracy. This day marks the deepest conviction of the American experiment — that power must pass peacefully from one commander-in-chief to the next.

Eight years ago … Donald Trump is sworn in as the 45th president of the United States.Credit: AP

But what if you are coming to honour a man who tried to overthrow the government and steal an election? A man who riled up his followers to sack the Capitol and then lumbered out of town, a sore loser in a vile humour, skipping the inauguration of his successor?

Does he merit the usual privileges? Should everyone honour him in his moment at the centre of the sacred traditions he desecrated?

When Michelle Obama and Nancy Pelosi blow off Donald Trump on his triumphant day, are they being rude and unpatriotic? Or are they justified, given his incendiary words, his misogyny and racism, his defilement of this tradition at the heart of America?

The weather will not be the only bitter chill in town. Besides Obama’s and Pelosi’s cold shoulders, Barack Obama and the Clintons are skipping the inaugural lunch.

Trump is returning as a colossus. He has brought Washington — Democrats and Republicans — to heel, teamed up with Elon Musk and slapped a gold “Trump” sign on Silicon Valley. The lords of the cloud helped fund the coronation,........

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