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American constitutional democracy is in anexistential crisis right now, and it's not easy to see how this ends.

President-elect Donald TrumpDonald TrumpMcConnell breaks with Trump on NATO Trump makes unannounced stop at his DC hotel Rick Perry misunderstood Energy Secretary job: report MORE has made clear hewill not respect limitson presidential power. Even before taking office, he and his minions have threatened to clamp down onjournalistsanddissenters, demonstratingcontemptfor the First Amendment.

Former Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) recently suggested that Trump could "close down the elite press"by choosing which press outlets he personally decides are legitimate. Richard Painter, former ethics lawyer under George W. Bush, warns that Trump has "serious conflicts of interest" that will place him in violation of the Constitution as soon as he takes office.

Most troubling of all, the U.S. intelligence community has concluded thatRussian President Vladimir Putin ordered a cyber espionage operationaimed at helping Trump win election. There are unconfirmed reports that Russiaalso collected compromising informationit could use to blackmail Trump.There is also reporting raising concerns that the FBI "blocked a thorough inquiry into Mr. Trump [and Russia]."

Recently, civil rights activist Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) has concluded that, because of Russian interference in the election, Trumpcannot be a legitimate president.

The first step, when it comes to Russia, is sorting out what actually happened. That requires anindependent, nonpartisan investigation. The Senate intelligence committee hasannounced that it plans to begin investigating"counterintelligence concerns related to Russia and the 2016 election."

That's a good start (though not the kindof independent commissionmanyhave in mind), but we can't passively sit back and assume this will be sufficient.If the investigation confirms assessments and reports that Russia helped Trump win the presidency and is now in a position to blackmail him, that would require the extraordinary and unprecedented remedyof a new election. None of this can happen unless Americans of all political stripes recognize the danger we are in and support their elected representatives in doing what is necessary to set things right.

Whether we can find a path through this thicket depends on all Americans recognizing this is about the legitimacy of our constitutional democracy, not typical partisan divisions.

Some Republicans understand this. Mark Salter, former chief of staff to Sen. John McCainJohn McCainUS democracy is in crisis. Trump voters must help us get past it. The rise of Carlson, and the fall of Van Susteren Booker to vote against Tillerson MORE (R-Ariz.), suggests that we need "an uncommon country-before-tribe commitment from Republican and Democratic politicians"and others. He's right and elected officials can only find the courage to act if they have the support and urging of their constituents.

That means Trump voters must acknowledge they made a mistake. This is, without a doubt, a difficult thing to do. I understand this.

I was too young to vote in 1988, but I thought that year's presidential election was a contest for the soul of America. Then-Vice President George H.W. Bush'scampaign rhetoricand choice of an unqualified running mate, convinced me that he would be dangerous for the country. I worried he was in the pocket of the religious right and other extremist elements in the Republican Party.

I was wrong; Bush was no extremist. The elder Bush was a better president than Democratic nominee Michael Dukakis would have been, and likely would have been better in many if not most ways than Bill ClintonBill ClintonHillary Clinton tweets well-wishes to Bushes Chelsea Clinton: We must keep fighting Lanny Davis: Farewell, President Obama: Your legacy as one of the best presidents is secure MORE, the man elected to replace him in 1992.

We all make mistakes. What matters is owning up to that, taking responsibility for our actions, and trying to set things right. Those of us (which includes a number ofRepublicans andconservatives) who already are confronting the crisis our nation faces must reach out to Trump voters in friendship, as our fellow citizens.

This is not about bitterness, settling scores, or showing anyone up. It is about recognizing that we face the most serious constitutional crisis since Nixon's presidency. As we did more than 40 years ago, Americans must cross partisan lines to defend our constitutional democracy.

None of this will be at all easy, but it is an essential test of our patriotism, integrity and national character.

Chris Edelson is an assistant professor of government in American University's School of Public Affairs. His latest book, "Power Without Constraint: The Post 9/11 Presidency and National Security," was published in May 2016 by the University of Wisconsin Press.

The views expressed by contributors are their own and not the views of The Hill.

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US democracy is in crisis. Trump voters must help us get past it. - The Hill (blog)