Multiple House Democrats to skip inauguration 00:55
Story highlights
- Here's a list of Democrats who have publicly said they won't be at the ceremony Friday
- Some representatives will be protesting in DC and in their districts instead
Washington (CNN)Dozens
of Democratic lawmakers are boycotting President-elect Donald Trump's
inauguration, particularly after revelations of Russia's alleged
meddling in the 2016 election and his rebuke of civil rights icon John
Lewis. No senators have yet said they are boycotting, though Senate
Democratic leader Chuck Schumer has left open the possibility.
Some members have said they will be protesting in Washington and in their districts instead.
Responding
to a question from CNN's Michelle Kosinski, White House Press Secretary
Josh Earnest said Tuesday that he believed the boycotts were "a
reflection of the division in the country right now" and said members of
Congress are "freer to express their opinion" than administration
officials.
Asked if members of the
Obama administration would boycott the inauguration if they could,
Earnest said he "wouldn't speculate on what people around here would
say."
Here's a list of Democrats who have publicly said they won't be at Friday's ceremony:
Georgia Rep. John Lewis
The
civil rights icon declared last week that he would boycott the event
because he doesn't see Trump as a "legitimate" president in light of
Russian interference.
"You cannot be at home with something that you feel that is wrong," Lewis told NBC News.
Trump harshly responded
Saturday, calling Lewis "all talk" and "no action" and saying he should
focus more on "fixing and helping" his district rather than
"complaining" about the Russia's role.
Texas Rep. Al Green
"I
will not attend the inauguration because conscience says it is the
right thing to do," Green said in a statement, referencing Martin Luther
King, Jr. in his decision.
California Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard
"I
thought long and hard about attending the Inauguration because I value
our democracy and respect the office of the presidency, regardless of
party. However, the disparaging remarks the President-elect has made
about many groups, including women, Mexicans, and Muslims, are deeply
contrary to my values. As a result, I will not be attending the
Inauguration," Roybal-Allard said in a statement Sunday.
Minnesota Rep. Keith Ellison
"I
will not celebrate a man who preaches a politics of division and hate. I
won't be attending Donald Trump's inauguration," Ellison, who is
running for chairman of the Democratic National Committee, tweeted
Monday.
Tennessee Rep. Steve Cohen
"I would love to attend the inauguration. I'm a member of Congress through your votes. Thank you," Cohen told WMC Action News 5.
"I value our government. I appreciate it greatly. This president
semi-elect does not deserve to be President of the United States. He has
not exhibited the characteristics and the values that we hold dear."
California Rep. Mark Takano
"'All talk, no action.' I stand with @repjohnlewis and I will not be attending the inauguration," Takano tweeted Saturday.
New York Rep. Yvette Clarke
"I will NOT attend the inauguration of @realDonaldTrump. When you insult @repjohnlewis, you insult America."
California Rep. Ted Lieu
"For
me, the personal decision not to attend Inauguration is quite simple:
Do I stand with Donald Trump, or do I stand with John Lewis? I am
standing with John Lewis," Lieu said in a statement released by his office.
New York Rep. Jerrold Nadler
He
announced his decision on CNN's "New Day" and then issued a statement:
"The rhetoric and actions of Donald Trump have been so far beyond the
pale -- so disturbing and disheartening -- and his continued failure to
address his conflicts of interest, to adequately divest or even to fully
disclose his financial dealings, or to sufficiently separate himself
from the ethical misconduct that legal experts on both side of the aisle
have identified have been so offensive I cannot in good conscience
participate in this honored and revered democratic tradition of the
peaceful transfer of power."
Arizona Rep. Raul Grijalva
"I
will not be attending the inauguration of Donald Trump as our next
president," the Congressional Progressive Caucus co-chair said Friday on
the House floor. "My absence is not motivated by disrespect for the
office or motivated by disrespect for the government that we have in
this great democracy, but as an individual act, yes, of defiance at the
disrespect shown to millions and millions of Americans by this incoming
administration, and the actions we are taking in this Congress."
Michigan Rep. John Conyers
The office of Conyers, the dean of the United House of Representatives, confirmed to CNN he won't be attending the inauguration.
California Rep. Mark DeSaulnier
"It
is with a heavy heart and deep personal conviction that I have decided
not to attend the #TrumpInauguration on January 20, 2017," the
California lawmaker tweeted Friday.
New York Rep. Nydia Velazquez
Velazquez
tweeted Friday that she will be participating in a women's march
protesting policies that activists say are harmful to American women.
"I
will not be attending inauguration of @realDonaldTrump but WILL
participate in the @womensmarch on January 21st," she tweeted.
Oregon Rep. Kurt Schrader
"I'm just not a big Trump fan. I've met the guy and never been impressed with him," he told Oregon Public Broadcasting Friday.
"I'll do my best to work with him when I think he's doing the right
thing for the country. But he hasn't proved himself to me at all yet, so
I respectfully decline to freeze my ass out there in the cold for this
particular ceremony."
Missouri Rep. William Lacy Clay
The lawmaker's spokesperson told the St. Louis Post Dispatch that Clay will be in his home state speaking to schoolchildren.
California Rep. Barbara Lee
Lee said she'll spend the day "preparing for resistance."
"Donald
Trump has proven that his administration will normalize the most
extreme fringes of the Republican Party. On Inauguration Day, I will not
be celebrating. I will be organizing and preparing for resistance," she
said Thursday in a statement.
New York Rep. Jose Serrano
"I
will not attend the #inauguration2017 next week- cannot celebrate the
inauguration of a man who has no regard for my constituents. #Bronx," he
tweeted Thursday.
California Rep. Judy Chu
"After much thought, I have decided to #StandWithJohnLewis and not attend the inauguration," Chu tweeted this weekend.
Illinois Rep. Luis Gutierrez
"I
cannot go to (the) inauguration of a man who's going to appoint people
to the Supreme Court and turn back the clock on women and turn back the
clock on immigrants and the safety and freedom that we fought for them,"
Gutierrez said last month on CNN's "New Day."
California Rep. Jared Huffman
"I
have decided that instead of attending the inaugural ceremonies in
Washington this month, I'll spend time in California with my
constituents making a positive difference in our community," he wrote on
Facebook Tuesday. "From helping to build homes for local families to
pitching in on cleaning up flood debris to welcoming new US citizens at a
naturalization ceremony --- it will be an action-packed couple of days.
Stay tuned here for more details."
Massachusetts Rep. Katherine Clark
"I
support the peaceful transition of power, but I don't feel that I need
to attend the pageantry associated with and for this president," she told the Boston Globe earlier this month.
Oregon Rep. Earl Blumenauer
"There
is unprecedented concern by my constituents about the many threats
posed by a Trump administration seeking to implement the
President-elect's policies on health, environment, nuclear weapons and
immigration, to name but a few," he said on Facebook.
New York Rep. Adriano Espaillat
"Many
have given their lives and dedicated their lives to working to fulfill
Dr. King's dream and make it a reality, and it is up to us to preserve
his legacy and the legacy of President Barack Obama to ensure that we do
not go back in time! President-elect Donald Trump is trying to take us
back! And the people Trump is appointing-- Steve Bannon, Jeff Sessions
-- are trying to take us back!
"That's
why I am not attending the presidential inauguration. Donald Trump and
the hate-filled rhetoric that plagued his election simply will continue
in his administration. THIS is not Dr. King's Dream!" Espaillat issued
the statement on his Facebook page.
Washington Rep. Pramila Jayapal
.@realDonaldTrump:
@repjohnlewis stands for best of everything in America. If anyone knows
about action not words, it's him. #ImWithJohn
Wisconsin Rep. Mark Pocan
"After reading classified
Russian hacking doc & @realDonaldTrump offensive tweets to
@repjohnlewis I will not be attending the Inauguration."
Ohio Rep. Marcia Fudge
"As I told @JoyAnnReid, I will not be attending #Inauguration. I will be at home in Cleveland. #IStandWithJohnLewis."
California Rep. Maxine Waters
"I never ever contemplated
attending the inauguration or any activities associated w/
@realDonaldTrump. I wouldn't waste my time."
New Jersey Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman
"I do not intend to attend the inauguration of PE @realDonaldTrump. Instead, join me for an Interfaith Prayer Vigil."
Maryland Rep. Anthony Brown
"Skipping
Inauguration.@RepJohnLewis a civil rights hero. Enormous responsibility
to be POTUS.I respect the office, can't tolerate disrespect," he tweeted
Monday.
Virginia Rep. Don Beyer
"I wanted to let you know
that I am not attending this Friday's inaugural ceremonies ... I will
not be part of normalizing or legitimizing a man whose election may well
have depended on the malicious foreign interference of Russia's
leaders, a person who lies profusely and without apology, who mimics the
disabilities of others, who insults anyone who dares disagree with him,
who would demonize an entire spiritual tradition, and who has
demonstrated again and again a profound disrespect for women," he
tweeted.
Maine Rep. Chellie Pingree
"At MLK Day dinner in Portland, I announced that I would not attend Trump's inauguration," she tweeted.
Kentucky Rep. John Yarmouth
"It's
not my intent to protest the election results or to make a statement
about policy. I will not be attending the inauguration because I believe
the office of the President deserves our respect, and that respect must
begin with the President-elect himself," the congressman said in a
statement.
California Rep. Karen Bass
The lawmaker decided not to attend after conducting a Twitter poll on whether her constituents wanted her to attend.
Pennsylvania Rep. Dwight Evans
"I
#StandWithJohnLewis. I will not be attending the inauguration. Russian
hacking must be investigated and I do not support the repeal of ACA," he
said.
California Rep. Zoe Lofgren
"I acknowledge the fact that he is the incoming president, but I'm not in the mood to celebrate that fact," she told the Los Angeles Times.
California Rep. Grace Napolitano
The lawmaker will not be present, according to the Los Angeles Times.
California Rep. Raul Ruiz
"A real president doesn't attack the press because they ask tough questions," Ruiz told
the Desert Sun. "A real president doesn't insult and bully celebrities
or everyday Americans because they disagree with him. A real president
doesn't use the office to make millions more for his own wealth or his
family's wealth."
Washington Rep. Adam Smith
"Believe me, I have a lot of statements against Donald Trump, his policies, and the way he behaves," the lawmaker told
The Stranger. "What he said in response to (Rep.) John Lewis's comments
was remarkably ignorant—even for him. (But) I'm not not going to the
inauguration as a statement. I'm not going because I'd prefer to be
home."
Florida Rep. Darren Soto
"I
am deeply disappointed with Trump's attacks against civil rights hero
John Lewis and will not be attending the inauguration as a result," the
lawmaker told WFTV.
Arizona Rep. Ruben Gallego
"We
must stand against Trump's bigotries- birther conspiracies, attacks on
(gold star) parents & civil rights heroes. I won't attend
inauguration," he tweeted.
North Carolina Rep. G.K. Butterfield
The former Congressional Black Caucus chairman called Trump divisive.
"Considering
Mr. Trump's brand of division and insult, I believe it would be hurtful
to my constituents for me to attend the inauguration," he tweeted.
Texas Rep. Joaquin Castro
"Every
American should respect the office of the presidency and the fact that
Donald Trump will be the 45th President of the United States," he said
in a statement. "But winning an election does not mean a man can show
contempt for millions of Americans and then expect those very people to
celebrate him."
California Rep. Tony Cárdenas
"After
serious consideration, I have decided that I will not stand with Donald
Trump during his ceremonial inauguration," Cárdenas said in a
statement. "He has been consistent in his words and actions -- he has
disrespected countless Americans -- women, civil rights leaders,
Hispanics, people with disabilities, Muslims, gold star families,
African Americans, POWs and more. I feel this decision best represents
my family, constituents and country."
Pennsylvania Rep. Mike Doyle
"I'm going to #StandWithJohnLewis. I won't attend the Inauguration on Friday," he tweeted.
North Carolina Rep. Alma Adams
"I
cannot in good faith and consciousness pretend to celebrate the
inauguration of someone who has spoken so horribly about women,
minorities, and the disabled," she said
in a statement. "Instead, I am staying home to continue working toward
our priorities and to meet with constituents, many of whom are fearful
of what lies ahead."
California Rep. Juan Vargas
"
I will not be attending the Inauguration. Instead, I will be praying for our country and for our community with the people of my district," he tweeted.
I will not be attending the Inauguration. Instead, I will be praying for our country and for our community with the people of my district," he tweeted.
Pennsylvania Rep. Brendan Boyle
"After
wrestling with this question for the last two months, I have concluded I
cannot participate in this Inaugural celebration," he posted
on Facebook. "I do not challenge that Mr Trump won the Electoral
College and therefore will lawfully be president. We cannot go down a
path in which we do not accept the legitimacy of the choice of the
people. In America, it is the people who decide."
"I accept the decision of the people. I respect it. But I will not celebrate it," Boyle added.
Texas Rep. Lloyd Doggett
"I
will not be attending the inauguration this Friday," he tweeted. "We
are sending a message to Mr. Trump. Respect, like Pennsylvania Avenue,
is a two-way street."
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