Donald Trump's upcoming second inauguration is facing an unusual challenge with several high-profile Democrats opting to boycott the event. Concerns about safety, stemming from the January 6th Capitol riot and Trump's stated intention to pardon some of the rioters, are cited as primary reasons for their absence.
Donald Trump is set to be inaugurated as president for a second time on Monday, January 20th. However, this inauguration differs significantly from his first, as several high-profile Democrats have declared they will not be attending. Some cite their intention to participate in Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrations, while others express concerns about their personal safety in Washington D.C. amidst a potential gathering of Trump supporters.
This decision stems from lingering anxieties surrounding the events of January 6th, 2021, when members of Congress from both parties sought refuge in secure locations as a mob of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol. Numerous individuals charged in connection with the Capitol riot have requested permission to return to D.C. for Trump's second inauguration, further intensifying fears among some Democratic lawmakers, particularly those who served on the January 6th Committee and received threats of imprisonment from the incoming president. While attendance at the inauguration is not mandatory for members of Congress, the vocal number choosing to skip this event marks a stark departure from the more cordial transfers of power witnessed in the past.The list of Democrats who have publicly stated their intention to boycott the inauguration includes prominent figures such as Michelle Obama, Nancy Pelosi, 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, and Representative-elect Lateefah Simon, and Representative Veronica Escobar. Notably, Trump and his wife, Melania Trump, did not attend Joe Biden's inauguration in 2021 following Trump's repeated assertions of election fraud.Representative Steve Cohen expressed his reasons for not attending to Axios, stating, 'Trump has said he is going to pardon some of the January 6th 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 stated, '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.' The final list of Democratic attendees remains uncertain as other high-profile Democrats, including Elizabeth Warren, Tammy Duckworth, and Raphael Warnock, have yet to make a decision. When asked by Axios about his plans for the inauguration, Senator Bernie Sanders responded with a dismissive, 'Pssh, is that the burning issue of the day?'
Donald Trump Inauguration Democrats January 6Th Capitol Riot Safety Concerns
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