As President-Elect, Donald Trump can send a clear message about his belief in the power of the Presidency and maintaining the balance of power among the three branches of government, by making it clear to all Americans, including congress, that he will not be nominating a Supreme Court justice until the current nominee, Judge Merrick B. Garland, is finished with his confirmation process. Mr. Trump, show that you respect and honor the position of the Presidency by insisting that President Obama's choice be given full consideration, as it should have much earlier this year when the nomination was made on March 16th, nearly 8 months ago.

Any other action on your part signals the breakdown of the checks and balances within the three branches of government.  You will be putting party politics above the good of the country and all citizens within it.  

Merrick B. Garland is a respected and impartial judge who should have been given the opportunity prove that he is well qualified to join the highest court in the land.  Any other nominee will make clear that the Supreme Court has been hijacked by partisan politics.  There is no other explanation for why Judge Garland has been passed over for consideration, and the nomination process delayed for nearly a year.

Please make this a priority.  Show congress that you will not be their patsy.  Show them that as President, you respect and honor the rights and responsibilities of that office, and set the stage for them to respect that fact in your presidency as well.

This is the olive branch you're looking for.  Use it to show the majority of voters in this country that you truly mean it when you say you want to unite the country.  You can begin to heal the divide with this one simple act.