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BumRushDaShow

(144,186 posts)
Sat Dec 14, 2024, 12:25 PM Dec 14

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
    37 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
    Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
    Inside Democrats' emerging Trump inauguration boycott (Original Post) BumRushDaShow Dec 14 OP
    This inauguration will be the most shameful event in American history William Seger Dec 14 #1
    A sad +1 CrispyQ Dec 14 #8
    I agree and don't think any Democrat should recognize it. The SOB never attended Biden's doc03 Dec 14 #28
    It certainly will be a very SAD, BAD day for me and my family. I will NOT turn on TV either!! riversedge Dec 15 #35
    Why sit there like a bunch of captives and listen to his litany of lies and insults? dalton99a Dec 14 #2
    This day will, for once and for all, prove displacedvermoter Dec 14 #4
    Trump surviving covid already proved there is no God. nt SunSeeker Dec 14 #23
    Or that bullet that wizzed past his goddamn ear! displacedvermoter Dec 14 #26
    Trump boycotted the 2020 Inauguration. I really hope ALL Dems boycott this one. Dennis Donovan Dec 14 #3
    You mean 2021...but how did Trump transfer that power if he wasn't there? Bengus81 Dec 14 #13
    He doesn't. But it's all about making it look like the system still works and the norms still apply. Karasu Dec 14 #25
    The word is out... homegirl Dec 14 #5
    We need a nationwide boycott!! I teach history and I do not plan to turn on the inauguration! OrlandoDem2 Dec 14 #6
    '...Trump's inauguration "seems like the worst place to spend Martin Luther King Day."' J_William_Ryan Dec 14 #7
    Why boycott an election? FredGarvin Dec 14 #9
    We had the election. This is the crowning. Why bother? Raven Dec 14 #11
    Inauguration Cirsium Dec 14 #12
    An inaguration as a result of an election FredGarvin Dec 14 #15
    oh n/t Cirsium Dec 14 #16
    Trump was a no show in 2021,didn't see his people shame him for not going Bengus81 Dec 14 #14
    Maybe, just maybe angrychair Dec 14 #18
    Why honor JustAnotherGen Dec 14 #19
    Huh?! InAbLuEsTaTe Dec 14 #32
    Any Quisling Democrat who ... Tarzanrock Dec 14 #10
    I won't be going, either. n/t Harker Dec 14 #17
    Tlaib should go. She helped get him elected. LeftInTX Dec 14 #20
    I seriously wonder if the SlobFather will pass the hat among the Deplorables attending. NoMoreRepugs Dec 14 #21
    Djt has about 30 10 foot long merch tables setup in the paking lot of the US Capitol,... magicarpet Dec 14 #33
    We need to capture, and use in ads, the first lie uttered by the new VPrez and Prez, namely: RobertDevereaux Dec 14 #22
    No Dem should attend. tonekat Dec 14 #24
    I will be wearing black and not watching any cable or network tv kimbutgar Dec 14 #27
    Some repeated, loud, pervasive, effective messaging... CousinIT Dec 14 #29
    Regarding Rep. Adam Smith: Polybius Dec 14 #30
    I'm surprised the number boycotting is not higher... hopefully, that number will grow over the coming weeks. InAbLuEsTaTe Dec 14 #31
    I won't be watching... Dem4life1970 Dec 14 #34
    Biden could really create a stir The Wizard Dec 15 #36
    They should absolutely boycott it. He is a felon and a rapist travelingthrulife Dec 15 #37

    CrispyQ

    (38,584 posts)
    8. A sad +1
    Sat Dec 14, 2024, 12:49 PM
    Dec 14

    Let them eat cake comes to mind as he accepts billion dollar bids on his way into office.

    doc03

    (36,954 posts)
    28. I agree and don't think any Democrat should recognize it. The SOB never attended Biden's
    Sat Dec 14, 2024, 09:06 PM
    Dec 14

    inauguration.

    riversedge

    (73,403 posts)
    35. It certainly will be a very SAD, BAD day for me and my family. I will NOT turn on TV either!!
    Sun Dec 15, 2024, 04:12 AM
    Dec 15

    displacedvermoter

    (3,226 posts)
    4. This day will, for once and for all, prove
    Sat Dec 14, 2024, 12:35 PM
    Dec 14

    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.

    Dennis Donovan

    (27,400 posts)
    3. Trump boycotted the 2020 Inauguration. I really hope ALL Dems boycott this one.
    Sat Dec 14, 2024, 12:31 PM
    Dec 14

    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)
    13. You mean 2021...but how did Trump transfer that power if he wasn't there?
    Sat Dec 14, 2024, 01:18 PM
    Dec 14

    Looks like it was transferred to Biden without him. Why would Biden have to show up?

    Karasu

    (368 posts)
    25. He doesn't. But it's all about making it look like the system still works and the norms still apply.
    Sat Dec 14, 2024, 08:59 PM
    Dec 14

    homegirl

    (1,562 posts)
    5. The word is out...
    Sat Dec 14, 2024, 12:38 PM
    Dec 14

    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)
    6. We need a nationwide boycott!! I teach history and I do not plan to turn on the inauguration!
    Sat Dec 14, 2024, 12:40 PM
    Dec 14

    My Congress people should do the same!

    J_William_Ryan

    (2,262 posts)
    7. '...Trump's inauguration "seems like the worst place to spend Martin Luther King Day."'
    Sat Dec 14, 2024, 12:46 PM
    Dec 14

    Indeed.

    In fact, attending the inauguration of a hateful racist, bigot, and misogynist is inconsistent with the values and goals of Dr. King.

    Cirsium

    (1,154 posts)
    12. Inauguration
    Sat Dec 14, 2024, 01:17 PM
    Dec 14

    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?

    Bengus81

    (7,494 posts)
    14. Trump was a no show in 2021,didn't see his people shame him for not going
    Sat Dec 14, 2024, 01:22 PM
    Dec 14

    And then not vote for him in 2024. Dems need to get BALLS.

    angrychair

    (9,887 posts)
    18. Maybe, just maybe
    Sat Dec 14, 2024, 02:48 PM
    Dec 14

    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)
    19. Why honor
    Sat Dec 14, 2024, 02:52 PM
    Dec 14

    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.

    Tarzanrock

    (489 posts)
    10. Any Quisling Democrat who ...
    Sat Dec 14, 2024, 01:05 PM
    Dec 14

    acquiesces to this corrupt, criminal Turd and appeases his Vichy Fascist government will never get another nickel from me.

    magicarpet

    (16,949 posts)
    33. Djt has about 30 10 foot long merch tables setup in the paking lot of the US Capitol,...
    Sat Dec 14, 2024, 10:39 PM
    Dec 14

    ...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)
    22. We need to capture, and use in ads, the first lie uttered by the new VPrez and Prez, namely:
    Sat Dec 14, 2024, 03:32 PM
    Dec 14

    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)
    24. No Dem should attend.
    Sat Dec 14, 2024, 06:44 PM
    Dec 14

    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)
    27. I will be wearing black and not watching any cable or network tv
    Sat Dec 14, 2024, 09:04 PM
    Dec 14

    I plan on watching my recorded programs or streaming shows on my TV.


    Polybius

    (18,354 posts)
    30. Regarding Rep. Adam Smith:
    Sat Dec 14, 2024, 09:43 PM
    Dec 14
    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.


    Why only two in 28 years? That's odd.

    InAbLuEsTaTe

    (24,668 posts)
    31. I'm surprised the number boycotting is not higher... hopefully, that number will grow over the coming weeks.
    Sat Dec 14, 2024, 10:02 PM
    Dec 14

    I'm sure as hell not going to be watching... don't have the stomach for it!!

    Dem4life1970

    (541 posts)
    34. I won't be watching...
    Sat Dec 14, 2024, 10:52 PM
    Dec 14

    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.

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