The American experiment in self-government has been going strong for 240 years. No nation has undergone more transitions of power without violence than the United States. While the changing of presidents has always been peaceful, it’s also messy.

The transition of President-elect Trump is no exception. Some administrations have hit the ground running and others stumbled out of the gate. But initial reports of disorder, one week after the election, aren’t alarming. Early disarray hasn’t developed into a disaster yet.