As we celebrate the second Fourth of July under the Trump administration, it is hard to ignore how much we are divided as a country.

“E Pluribus Unum,” our nation’s motto, literally means “Out of many, one.” Donald Trump seems intent, on a daily basis, to make a mockery out of the sentiment our Founding Father’s held so sacred.

Donald Trump does not even hide his disdain for national unity; for the notion that America is a melting pot of different cultures and ethnicities; that we are, and have always been, a nation of immigrants.

To Donald Trump, he is the president of his base… a group of mostly white nationalists who make up a minority of the American population. When Trump speaks about our nation, it is always “us” (his supporters) against “them” (everyone else).

In a recent interview with Maria Bartiromo, Trump was asked, “As the commander-in-chief, as the president of this great country, what can you do to bring us together?”

Without hesitation Trump replied, “Our people are so incredible,” making it quite clear his reference was limited to the people who voted for him: “Do you know, there’s probably never been a base in the history of politics in this country like my base. I hope the other side realizes that they better just take it easy.”

In what seems so long ago, another president had a different take on the question of national unity.

At a speech at the University of Indonesia back in 2010, President Obama said, “In the United States, our motto is E pluribus unum — out of many, one. Bhinneka Tunggal Ika — unity in diversity…our nations show that hundreds of millions who hold different beliefs can be united in freedom under one flag.”

And yet, as a preview of what we are seeing today, Obama’s simple statement caused an uproar among tea party U.S. House members—including then-U.S. Representative Mike Pence—who called for Obama to issue a correction stating: “By misrepresenting things as foundational as the Declaration of Independence and our national motto, you are not only doing a disservice to the people you represent, you are casting aside an integral part of American society.”

Obama was right … we can’t let Trumpism change that.

This Fourth, as you feast on burgers and franks, try to remember we once had a president who understood the source of America’s greatness. We just might survive the Trump nightmare to have such a president once again.

Photo | thedistrict.com