Some of President-elect Donald Trump's most notable critics, such as President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, will be at his inauguration tomorrow, while others will skip the event.
Newsweek reached out to Trump's transition team via email for comment on Sunday.
Why It Matters
Trump critics have said he is a threat to democracy and some even went as far as to call him a fascist, yet most are still attending his inauguration, participating in the traditional handover process. Some observers are surprised or upset that these critics who painted such a dire picture of what Trump would bring to America are now going through the normal process.
Which Trump Critics Are Attending?
- President Joe Biden
- Vice President Kamala Harris
- Former Vice President Mike Pence
- Former President Barack Obama
- Former President Bill Clinton
- Former first lady and ex-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
Biden will be at Trump's inauguration, despite the president-elect skipping Biden's swearing-in ceremony in January 2021, just two weeks after Trump supporters stormed the grounds in a failed attempt to keep the then-president in office following Trump's repeated claims that the 2020 election was stolen via widespread voter fraud. There is no evidence to support such claims.
When asked by the MeidasTouch network last month if he'd attend Trump's inauguration, Biden said, "Of course I am," adding, "The only president ever to avoid an inauguration is the guy that's about to be inaugurated."
Harris, who lost last year's presidential election to Trump, will also be in attendance on Monday. Hillary Clinton was also at Trump's first inauguration in January 2017 after she lost the presidential election to him that fall.
Besides Obama and Bill Clinton, former President George W. Bush, who has not been outwardly critical of Trump, will be at the swearing-in ceremony.
The New York Times reported, citing people familiar with the matter, that Pence will also be attending the inauguration. Pence turned critical of Trump after the U.S. Capitol riot, in which Trump supporters chanted "Hang Mike Pence." As Trump's vice president, Pence presided over the certification of Biden's 2020 election victory.
Which Trump Critics Are Not Attending?
Former first lady Michelle Obama's office announced earlier this week that she is skipping Trump's inauguration but did not give a reason for her absence.
The Office of Barack and Michelle Obama said in a statement: "Former President Barack Obama is confirmed to attend the 60th Inaugural Ceremonies. Former first lady Michelle Obama will not attend the upcoming inauguration."
Representative Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, will also not be in attendance during Trump's swearing-in, according to a spokesman. Pelosi was House speaker during Trump's first term, oftentimes clashing with him. She was also targeted by Trump supporters during the riot. The spokesman did not give a reason why Pelosi is skipping the event.
Other Democrats who will not attend Trump's inauguration are:
- Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman
- Representative Adam Smith
- Representative Deborah Ross
- Representative Donald Beyer
- Representative Steve Cohen
- Representative Kweisi Mfume
- Representative Jasmine Crockett
- Representative Sean Casten
- Representative Delia Ramirez
- Representative Ilhan Omar
- Representative Judy Chu
- Representative Lateefah Simon
- Representative Veronica Escobar
- Representative Ayanna Pressley
What People Are Saying
Representative Steve Cohen, a Tennessee Democrat, told Axios: "[Trump] has said he is going to pardon some of the January 6 prisoners at his inauguration, and as one who was in the gallery and then locked in my office in the early morning as the insurrectionists tried to overthrow our government and beat police, some to the point of death, I cannot be a part of that spectacle."
Representative Judy Chu, a California Democrat, said: "I'm not attending the upcoming inauguration. I will be in my district with my constituents for important events marking Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the second anniversary of a mass shooting in my hometown of Monterey Park."
Representative Ayanna Pressley, a Massachusetts Democrat, told USA Today: "I'll be in town with my constituents honoring Dr. King's legacy. I don't think being there does that."
What Happens Next
Trump will be inaugurated on Monday at noon. He announced on Friday morning that the swearing-in ceremony had been moved inside the Capitol Rotunda because of inclement weather conditions.
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