As President-elect Donald Trump prepares for his second inauguration, many prominent Democrats are making it clear they have no intention of attending. The decision to skip the event underscores the deep partisan divide that has characterized his presidency and continues to define American politics. For these lawmakers, the choice is not just about Trump but a broader statement of resistance to his policies— despite them being pro-America. Despite calls for unity and bipartisanship, the absence of key Democratic figures highlights the ongoing political polarization, with many in the party unwilling to extend any semblance of legitimacy to what they see as a controversial and divisive leader.
Although many Democrats said they would honor Martin Luther King Jr. Day instead of celebrating the United State’s next president, we all know that’s not true. If it were Vice President Kamala Harris being sworn in, you know they would be there waving pride flags and all.
Democrats, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and former First Lady Michelle Obama, have made it clear they will not attend Trump’s inauguration. However, former President Barack Obama will attend.
Pelosi has attended 11 inaugurations, including when the late President John F. Kennedy was sworn into office in 196.
Other Democrats who refuse to attend the event include:
- Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman
- Rep. Adam Smith
- Rep. Deborah Ross
- Rep. Donald Beyer
- Rep. Steve Cohen
- Rep. Kweisi Mfume
- Rep. Jasmine Crockett
- Rep. Sean Casten
- Rep. Delia Ramirez
- Rep. Ilhan Omar
- Rep. Judy Chu
- Rep-elect. Lateefah Simon
- Rep. Veronica Escobar
Chu (CA) suggested there were more important events happening on January 20, such as the second anniversary of a mass shooting in her hometown of Monterey Park.
Meanwhile, Cohen (Tenn.) claimed that the reason he would not be attending the inauguration was because Trump would reportedly be pardoning some of the January 6 prisoners.
“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,” Cohen said.