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During the campaign, the guidance from Biden’s team was clear: Engage with Trump as little as possible.

Now, after riding that strategy to the White House, the directive on when to engage with the former president is even starker: “Never,” said Biden communications director Kate Bedingfield.

“Joe Biden is president, and we’re focused on what we’re doing, day in and day out,” Bedingfield said. “The focus is entirely on President Biden’s agenda, and Donald Trump doesn’t factor in that for us.”

But the reality may prove more difficult. With the historic second impeachment of Trump recently concluded, Biden and his team now face the challenge of continuing to minimize not just Trump but also Trumpism — an overarching ethos that includes a former president eager to sow discord; an alternate reality of dangerous misinformation; and an abiding belief in grievance politics and incivility.