Typically, when someone thinks of political attire, they think of suits, tuxedos, and an air of stuffiness. In the halls of Congress, this is the standard dress. This made Senator John Fetterman’s choice of basketball shorts and a black hoodie jarring to viewers of President Trump’s inauguration ceremony. Many found his clothing choice offensive and disrespectful to the country. But where does this sentiment come from? Why should this be relevant in modern American politics? Dress and presentation do matter in national politics. It demonstrates respect for the American system of government and willingness to obey all its rules and norms, small as they may be.
Human behavior is sometimes irrational and hard to understand. Some social norms seem arbitrary and cumbersome. However, when it comes to government, steady traditions are essential for maintaining the integrity of the system. Eliminating long-standing procedures can have a snowball effect. If one old rule is to be thrown out, why not the rest of them? The rules enumerated by the US Constitution and the Rules of The House persist only because of continuous willingness and adherence to them by elected officials. If there were no rules of decorum, one can imagine how chaotic proceedings would be. This explains why the tedious and archaic rules of the House and Senate are followed so closely.
These norms are created through years of precedent, and they are a reflection of the distinctly American approach to governance. Not all of them are written down in congressional bylaws or handbooks, but they are still obvious to the American people and their representatives. These are the kinds of standards that Fetterman violated with his dress on inauguration day. Disrespect for one of the traditions is taken as disrespect for all, as breaking one is an affront to the whole system. In this way, congressional attire seems superfluous, but it signals the sincerity of the country’s leaders to those at home and abroad.
Some may come away from the inauguration with respect for Fetterman’s boldness and unwillingness to confine himself to the rules of a self-congratulatory body like Congress. Fetterman cuts across the aisle frequently, and he takes flak from both parties for his inconsistency. This anti-establishment attitude is generally a positive thing for the country. It helps encourage bi-partisan debates and others to step outside the traditional party platforms. Fetterman’s uncontainable nature is positive when directed toward partisanship, but it can be detrimental when applied to constitutional and non-partisan traditions.
Adherence to tradition reflects respect for America’s system. When those in a position of power act carelessly or disrespectfully towards the institutions and customs that define the nation, it diminishes the country’s reputation. This includes adherence to even the more superficial rules, as they are the visible signal of internal cohesion and well-being. Dressing in gym shorts and a hoodie for the nation’s most important ceremony certainly qualifies as a violation of those standards.
The privileges granted for being in power are substantial, and the duties should be just as obvious. When a politician is acting in an official capacity, it should be clear to all that they are aware of the gravity of their position. As the old wise saying goes, “With great power comes great responsibility.”
