Forty years ago on the day of this writing, your correspondent endured a minor disappointment. As a staffer for Ronald Reagan’s second inaugural committee, it was to be his honor to escort the Supreme Court of the United States onto the platform. 

But then a smart, common-sense decision was made: move the oath-taking indoors, out of a bitter and dangerous January chill.

Moreover, the result was a pleasantly understated and dignified event, replete with an uplifting, forward-looking address – delivered by a living exemplar of determination and resolve.

Dutch had overcome an assassination attempt, slurs that he was a rightwing extremist and warmonger, and a recession during which he was slimed as uncaring about the effect on working people of his successful efforts to wring out ruinous inflation. And not only produced unparalleled economic and job growth, but won a historic re-election.

Positing that “in this blessed land, there is always a better tomorrow,” The Eternal Optimist declared:

“Our nation is poised for greatness. We must do what we know is right and do it with all our might. Let history say of us, ‘These were golden years – when the American Revolution was reborn, when freedom gained new life, when America reached for her best.’” 

Then he laid out a plan to achieve those aspirations, topped by tax simplification and fulfilling the responsibility to keep the nation “free, secure, and at peace” in the face of a Soviet military buildup. Check and check.

History did not just repeat or rhyme today – it echoed, resoundingly. The 45th and now 47th president had dodged his own bullet and outlasted not just unprecedented attacks on his policies and character, but also threats to his personal finances and freedom, with a beyond-Reaganesque display of bulldoggedness.

He likewise opted to protect the lives and safety of tens of thousands of fellow Americans who otherwise would have risked perhaps deadly elements, and took the oath in a similarly stately and tasteful ceremony in the very hall where the 40th chief executive had raised his right hand.

And then launched a parallel of his predecessor’s declaration of purpose and resolution in remarkably similar words:

“The Golden Age of America begins right now.” Along with his own pledge of a “revolution of common sense.”

The left, of course, is hyperfocusing on — and hammering 47 for — the admittedly frank and harsh charge that he is inheriting a “crisis of trust” and the supporting recitation of challenges burdening America, likening it to his averment of “American carnage” eight years back.

But if anything The Donald understated the level of disaster the administration he is sandwiching has visited both upon the American public and the world at large. What is there to protest about his description of “a radical and corrupt establishment (that) has extracted power and wealth from our citizens, while the pillars of our society lay broken and seemingly in complete disrepair?” Or of “a government that cannot manage even a simple crisis at home, while at the same time stumbling into a continuing catalog of catastrophic events abroad?”

Trump’s Reagan-echoing response – like his path back to the Oval Office – can be summed up in a single word repeated a stunning 95 times in a powerful manifesto.

Will. 

Both in general terms, as in his out-of-the-gate contention that “our country will flourish … will be respected … will be the envy of every nation … will not allow ourselves to be taken advantage of any longer.” 

That “our sovereignty will be reclaimed … safety will be restored … scales of justice will be rebalanced … and top priority will be to create a nation that is proud, prosperous and free.” That “America will soon be greater, stronger, and far more exceptional than ever before.” And a few beats later, that “we will immediately restore the integrity, competency, and loyalty of America’s government.”

But more impressively, in a remarkably bold and almost State-of-the-Union-broad inventory of specific “will” commitments ranging from the southern border to the surface of Mars … economic renewal to energy dominance … restoring manufacturing prominence to rebuilding national wealth … buttressing free speech to bringing back law and order … ending justice system weaponization to eliminating social engineering of race and gender. And much, much more.

And most inspiringly of all, immediately putting that “will” to work: heeding The Gipper’s call to move with “all his might” to revoke 78 Biden actions, pull the U.S. (again) out of the counteractive Paris climate accords, freeze most federal hiring and order workers back to the office, rein in lawfare and corral censorship, pardon an extraordinary 1,500 J6 political prisoners while revoking the clearances of the 51 Hunter laptop liars. With more notches certainly etched into his belt by the time this piece reaches publication.

The utter completeness of the once-and-current commander in chief’s preparation and the stunning swiftness, precision, and pure audacity of his and his team’s execution leads to an inescapable conclusion.

In sharp contrast to Trump I, where he declares a “will” – not to mention 95 of them – this president is even more resolved and better equipped not just to find a way, but to make one.

Bob Maistros, a regular contributor to Issues & Insights, is a messaging and communications strategist, crisis specialist, and former political speechwriter. He can be reached at bob@rpmexecutive.com.