January 20, 2017. A historic day for America. The day America went crazy. The day one president left the office and another entered. The beginning of the leadership of the 45^th President of the United States, President Donald J. Trump.

Riots broke out in the streets. Citizens took to social media to share their opinions. Many using #notmypresident to protest his entering the office.

I understand and recognize that our first amendment grants the freedom of speech. That includes your clever little hashtag, disrespecting the man taking over the country. But as he stood up in front of a nation today, swearing into the oval office, he did in fact become your president. You can protest it, deny it, and do everything in your power to fight it, but he is in fact your president. There’s no changing it.

As a democratic nation, the American people made their voices heard on November 8 when they elected the next president. After recounts caused by dismay, this had only been further confirmed. If you are a citizen of the United States, Donald J. Trump is officially your president.

I know that you might have reasons to dislike the man. Great, that’s another right you have as a citizen of this country. He has dug himself into some holes he will never get out of. He doesn’t always know when to stop talking. People are afraid of the truth. They are afraid of those who are honest with them. They fear change.

But no matter what your feeling is, he is your president. I’m not trying to sit here and tell you that you can’t voice your opinion. Congratulations, because you live in America you have that right. I’m not saying that your opinion doesn’t matter. Nor am I saying that you don’t matter as a human. That’s not what I’m saying.

I’m not going to sit here and tell you that you can’t protest him, because frankly that’s your right as granted by the first amendment. What I am saying is that burning cars, wrecking property, and violence are not the answer. It’s not going to change it. You can chant #notmypresident all you want. That’s fine, but those rights you are showcasing are rights because you live in America. They are rights given to you by the Bill of Rights. They are your rights under the leadership of the President.

So yes, maybe you’re scared. But scared of what? Scared of the unknown? Not having an actual politician in office? Scared that for once, things in the country will be more focused towards everyone and not the wealthy?

Listen to the words he’s said. He’s going to do everything in his power to make America a great place to live. He’s going to fix what needs to be fixed. So yes, it might seem like he wants to get rid of everything. That might be why you’re scared.

But here’s a quick history lesson (in case you have forgotten) the President of the United States might be the highest position held, but he can’t make laws pass without Congress. There’s a system of checks and balances for a reason, to make sure that no one person has too much control.

But Trump is a human. He is our president and we need to support him, because if he fails we all fail.

I am a senior in college. I am a female. I am a Millennial who is excited to see where these next four years go under the leadership of President Donald Trump.