Today, Jan. 20, 2017, officially marks the beginning of the Trump administration, the first day for the 45th president of the United States, Donald J. Trump.

Mr. Trump, by your election the American people have placed a great deal of confidence in you, and a great burden upon you, to lead America by protecting the nation, expanding our economy and representing our people.

All Americans should hope for your success, for it is our success. Not since Ronald Reagan has a president come into office with as low a public approval rating. But Americans are good people, always willing to grant a chance, and face a new beginning. And, as you know, the Reagan presidency turned out to be popular, so starting out challenged to win support need not be insurmountable.

And perhaps no recent presidents, other than Barack Obama and George W. Bush have faced such a divided nation. In many regards, and in part as a result of your campaign, the nation is more divided than ever before. We hope and expect that you will do your very best to be president of all the people, and our best wishes are yours in that regard.

But Mr. President, these are different times when, as you know, the winds of social media, fake facts, and the impending death of the truth face an America seeking a government that demonstrates it will work for the people, and not the special interests. In large part, that is why you were selected to be our president.

So while we extend our sincere wishes for the success of your administration, we can also offer you some advice from the experiences of those who came before you in the presidency.

Barack Obama offers you two gifts. First, Obama’s failure to work with the political opposition hurt his presidency and the nation. We hope you will have more success working with Democrats than Obama had working with Republicans. Second, Obama’s compassion, his deeply sincere emotional engagement when tragedy stuck, as it inevitably will, held us together as Americans. You have not demonstrated that part of your character, but we will need you to rise to the necessity of mourning and rejoicing with us and for us.

George Bush selected an administration of experienced and seasoned people and they served him competently. You have assembled a cabinet with considerably less experience, and in some cases, like the Environmental Protection Agency, with leaders who have fought the agency they now lead. We hope these leaders will reach beyond their experience and background to lead with strength for the good of America, but, above all, we expect government to work.

Jimmy Carter brought character and integrity to the presidency after the troubling Nixon years. While Carter’s presidency was not viewed as successful, his integrity both in office and out of office has been unassailable. Were Tweets possible in the Carter years, you may take it for granted President Carter would not have embarrassed the nation as you often do with your Tweets.

You are now the president and it is not appropriate for you to make personal attacks on anyone who may disagree with you. 69 percent of Americans hope you will stop tweeting altogether.

Please do.

Finally, Mr. President, Americans will grant you successes and failures as you lead. We know you will have both and we are prepared to move forward with bumps in the road. However, six agencies are now investigating the Russian interference in our election, including any connection between your campaign and the Russians. Additionally, the investigations now have expanded to include possible Russian financial investments in your victory.

Mr. President, we all hope for the swift completion of the investigations and the total exoneration of your campaign. But with that comes a caution; the American people will accept many shortcomings, but they will not accept the presidency won in collaboration with an adversary of the United States.

Best wishes to you and your administration on this important day.

Jim Crawford is a retired educator and political enthusiast living here in the Tri-State.