Inside Democrats' emerging Trump inauguration boycott
Source: Axios
4 hours ago
More than a dozen congressional Democrats plan to sit out President-elect Trump's inauguration, and many more are anxiously grappling with whether to attend, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: Not every Democrat skipping the ceremony will do so to protest Trump but a formal boycott is materializing as a first act of resistance against the incoming president.
For many Democrats, the scars of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol remain fresh in the mind, marking Trump as a threat to democracy. "For somebody who he said he's going to lock me up, I don't see the excitement in going to see his inauguration," former Jan. 6 committee chair Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) told Axios.
State of play: Martin Luther King Jr. Day coinciding with the Jan. 20 inaugural ceremony gives many Democrats an easy out, though others planning to stay away cited a distaste for inaugurations, a loathing of Trump and even fears for their safety.
Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.) said that as a Latina, she doesn't "feel safe coming" with Trump's supporters pouring in for the ceremony. "I'm not going to physically be in D.C. on that day," she told Axios. Similarly, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) said that attending MLK Day events instead "makes sense, because why risk any chaos that might be up here?" For other members, the reasoning is more mundane: Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.) "almost never attends inaugurations" and has only been to two during his 28 years in office, his spokesperson told Axios.
What we're hearing: Incoming Progressive Caucus chair Greg Casar (D-Texas), who hasn't decided whether to attend, told Axios, "I think you'll have some number of Democrats who go and a substantial number who don't."
"There are civil rights organizations that are trying to set up alternatives," said Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas), adding that Trump's inauguration "seems like the worst place to spend Martin Luther King Day." Several progressives predicted that the boycott won't be confined solely to the party's left flank.
Read more: https://www.axios.com/2024/12/14/democrats-boycott-attending-trump-inauguration
William Seger
(11,113 posts)CrispyQ
(38,584 posts)Let them eat cake comes to mind as he accepts billion dollar bids on his way into office.
doc03
(36,954 posts)inauguration.
riversedge
(73,403 posts)dalton99a
(84,881 posts)displacedvermoter
(3,226 posts)whether there really is a God. If Trump survives the taking of the oath of office, if when he says "so help me God" and no bolt of lightning kills both him and Roberts, we will know the truth about the existence of a Supreme Being.
SunSeeker
(54,048 posts)displacedvermoter
(3,226 posts)Dennis Donovan
(27,400 posts)I realize President Biden has to be there - peaceful transfer of power and all - but he should be the only Dem on the dais that day.
Bengus81
(7,494 posts)Looks like it was transferred to Biden without him. Why would Biden have to show up?
Karasu
(368 posts)homegirl
(1,562 posts)As many Democrats who show for Trump's Inauguration will be arrested on the spot! A ploy to grab, charge, incarcerate as many as possible at one time!
SARCASM? MAYBE!
OrlandoDem2
(2,325 posts)My Congress people should do the same!
J_William_Ryan
(2,262 posts)Indeed.
In fact, attending the inauguration of a hateful racist, bigot, and misogynist is inconsistent with the values and goals of Dr. King.
FredGarvin
(587 posts)Makes no sense.
Looks weak and whiny
Raven
(14,132 posts)Cirsium
(1,154 posts)We are talking about the inauguration, not the election (which happens to be over.)
How does boycotting the inauguration look weak and whiny?
Some Representatives fear for their own safety. Is that a example of a reason that "makes no sense" to you?
FredGarvin
(587 posts)Same thing
...
Bengus81
(7,494 posts)And then not vote for him in 2024. Dems need to get BALLS.
angrychair
(9,887 posts)It's because Trump is antithetical to everything this country is supposed to stand for and we already know we are entering our darkest days in our country's history and I think it's a real possibility that we are not all likely to survive it.
JustAnotherGen
(33,811 posts)Something that is too low to kick, and too wet to step on? Orban is going to be there - why should any true blue loyal to the Constitution Americans (IE Democrats)?
How is it "weak and whiny" to not want to applaud America's Hitler?
Still hoping nature takes its course and that thing dies before then.
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,668 posts)Tarzanrock
(489 posts)acquiesces to this corrupt, criminal Turd and appeases his Vichy Fascist government will never get another nickel from me.
Harker
(15,206 posts)LeftInTX
(30,580 posts)NoMoreRepugs
(10,646 posts)magicarpet
(16,949 posts)...on Inauguration Day. trDUMP flags, red MAGA hats, t-shirts, coffee mugs, djt banners, djt buy-bulls, and other assorted djt cheap China merch sold at top dollar.
Crowds wandering about, wallets to be grifted and fleeced. Conmen never miss an income opportunity to rip people off $$$$.
RobertDevereaux
(1,949 posts)VANCE'S FIRST LIE OF THE NEW ADMINISTRATION:
The vice-president-elect is sworn in first and repeats the same oath of office, in use since 1884, as senators, representatives, and other federal employees: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God."
TRUMP'S FIRST LIE OF THE NEW ADMINISTRATION:
Around noon, the president-elect recites the following oath in accordance with Article II, Section I of the U.S. Constitution: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
https://www.usa.gov/inauguration
tonekat
(2,051 posts)Didn't Biden say he was going to? That would be a big mistake, as it would add legitimacy to the farce. And especially since shitgibbon didn't attend Joe's.
And who knows what will happen, I think it will be unsafe.
kimbutgar
(23,601 posts)I plan on watching my recorded programs or streaming shows on my TV.
CousinIT
(10,484 posts)....would have more impact.
Polybius
(18,354 posts)Why only two in 28 years? That's odd.
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,668 posts)I'm sure as hell not going to be watching... don't have the stomach for it!!
Dem4life1970
(541 posts)After George W. Bush said "That was some weird sh*t" after Trump's "American Carnage" inaugural address in 2017, I see no need to listen to Orange Julius Caesar...and remember, his Inauguration (and the tiny crowd that listens to it) will be his high water mark as President. It's all downhill from there....he will be the lamest of lame ducks.
The Wizard
(12,937 posts)if he sent Hunter in his place.