America experienced what will potentially go down in history as the largest political upset of the 21st century, Nov. 8.

Media outlets throughout the nation projected Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton would cinch the presidential election. Before 9 a.m. that morning, The Los Angeles Times predicted Clinton would take 352 electoral votes in a landslide victory.

By the end of Election Day, Republican nominee, Donald Trump, had taken the presidency with 290 electoral votes and 47.2 percent of the popular vote to Clinton’s 232 and 47.8 percent.

Rumors circulated in the days following that final ballot counts revealed Trump had actually won the popular vote as well, but these were quickly debunked by Snopes.

Much like the 2000 election between Al Gore and George Bush, Clinton had won the popular vote, but Trump still took the office thanks to the electoral vote.

Many were upset by the results, outraged that a candidate could win regardless of whether they were the majority’s choice or not. Some wept in fear after having to accept that Trump was their president now. Others protested, outright rejecting Trump with #NotMyPresident. To present, demonstrations are still in progress across the country.

They have every right to do so, but they must know they cannot change the results of the election. Even as this author leans to the left politically, part of living in a democracy, or republic if one wants to get technical, is accepting the results of a democratic election.

This is not to say that the protests are not important, however. Trump must be made well aware that if he is to become president, he is starting out on thin ice. Even in his first few days as the elect, he’s surprised everyone. On one hand, he’s going back on many extreme right-wing promises made in his campaign and presenting very centrist policies, and on another he’s appointing Breitbart’s chairman as his White House strategist. Very unpredictable, indeed.

Yes, he deserves a fair chance now that he must lead the U.S., but he will know he will meet heavy resistance if his actions are not made with the peoples’ interest in mind.