Four years of having an absentee president can lull you into this false sense of hopelessness about the future of leadership in this country.

I know I'm not the only one who felt that way at times about Joe Biden, the now-former occupant of the Oval Office, during his abysmal tenure.

When Biden appeared before the cameras to speak on a subject, whether it was to promote policies, another politico, or to address a national tragedy, even though he was there physically he just didn't seem there-there, if you know what I mean.

There were also the times when he literally wasn't there, such as in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Biden was on vacation in Rehoboth Beach and VP Kamala Harris was doing presidential campaign fundraising at posh Left Coast events, all while the people of western North Carolina - my people - suffered immeasurable, soul-crushing and tragic losses of life, homes, and livelihoods, with the topography in the mountain areas dramatically altered by the storm.

The disgraceful staged photo-ops - and the defensive posturing - that came after were too little, too late, and, quite frankly, insulting.

SEE ALSO: A Disaster of Another Kind Strikes When Biden Is Asked Why He Was at the Beach in Midst of Helene

Contrast that with the beginning of Donald Trump's second presidential term.  There were the numerous executive orders that immediately addressed issues that needed to be, like the Biden border crisis and the DEI directives in government - including, most concerningly, the United States military.

During his inaugural address, Trump stated that "Our country can no longer deliver basic services in times of emergency, as recently shown by the wonderful people of North Carolina, who have been treated so badly." The next day, he announced a visit to the Old North State - the first trip of his second term, which he followed through on that following Friday.

While there, Trump was swarmed by well-wishers who displayed renewed hope and optimism for the future on their faces.  He also vowed to cut the red tape (which he's already started doing) that in part has hampered rebuilding efforts in many communities there. At one point, Trump even turned over the microphone to impacted residents to let them tell their stories themselves.

READ MORE: Trump Gets Swarmed After Touching Down in Western North Carolina, Floats Huge FEMA Change

After that was his trip to California as wildfires raged, where he was a one-man show in taking on the gross incompetence and obscene negligence we've come to know and loathe about the state's Democrat "leaders."

Fast forward nearly a week, and in the aftermath of the deadly mid-air collision between a military helicopter and a commercial jet near Reagan National Airport, Trump is there again, front and center at a D.C. press conference the day after, doing what we rarely if ever saw during the presidency of Joe Biden:

Being not just president but present. And, more importantly, confidently leading the nation through another heartwrenching tragedy.

It took Joe Biden 1,354 days to enter The White House briefing room.

President Donald Trump is there on day 10. pic.twitter.com/vflIPYZ7kS

— ALX (Vine Nationalist) 🇺🇸 (@alx) January 30, 2025

Refreshing and reassuring. America is back, my friends. She's back.