Democrats Plan Trump Inauguration Boycott, Get Roasted By Don Jr. [WATCH]

More than a dozen Democratic lawmakers plan to boycott President-elect Donald Trump’s upcoming inauguration, with others still debating whether to attend, according to a report by Axios.

The move marks a continuation of partisan divisions that have defined previous inaugurations involving Trump, with some Democrats citing the January 6 Capitol attack as their reasoning.

The boycott comes as Trump prepares to take the oath of office.

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For some Democrats, the decision to skip the event is a protest against what they describe as a threat to democracy.

Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS), who chaired the January 6 Committee, told Axios: “For somebody who he said he’s going to lock me up, I don’t see the excitement in going to see his inauguration.”

Democrats plan to boycott Trump inauguration, per Axios:

“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… pic.twitter.com/XcFhzxWm5n

— Western Lensman (@WesternLensman) December 14, 2024

This isn’t the first time Democrats have resisted attending Trump’s inauguration.

In 2017, more than 70 Democratic lawmakers boycotted Trump’s first swearing-in, with some openly objecting to the certification of the Electoral College results.

BREAKING Democrats are planning to boycott President Trump’s inauguration. Trump won by a LANDSLIDE. I don’t care how mad they are

DONALD TRUMP IS YOUR PRESIDENT pic.twitter.com/Z2Lcz7MHhA

— MAGA Voice (@MAGAVoice) December 14, 2024

That year also saw riots in Washington, D.C., on the day of the inauguration, as well as challenges to the legitimacy of Trump’s victory over Hillary Clinton, which some Democrats attributed to alleged Russian interference.

Yet, following the 2020 election, many Democrats labeled similar questioning of election outcomes by Trump’s allies as “election denialism,” drawing accusations of hypocrisy.

While not every Democrat skipping the inauguration will do so as a formal protest, some have explicitly linked their decision to the events of January 6, 2021.

Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) and Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-TX) both cited the Capitol attack as their primary reason for not attending. Others offered alternative explanations.

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) stated she would instead attend Martin Luther King Jr. Day events, saying, “Why risk any chaos that might be up here?”

Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) also referenced MLK Jr. Day, adding that civil rights organizations were working on alternative events and that attending the inauguration “seems like the worst place to spend Martin Luther King Day.”

Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-IL) took a different angle, saying that as a Latina, she felt uncomfortable attending, particularly with Trump’s supporters expected to be present.

Ramirez’s comment comes despite Trump’s notable gains among Latino voters in recent elections.

According to Axios, 13 Democratic lawmakers have definitively announced they will not attend, with 20 still undecided.

However, 44 Democrats have confirmed their attendance. While the numbers do not indicate a widespread boycott, the decision by some Democrats to skip the ceremony has drawn criticism for being symbolic and lacking substantive impact.

Donald Trump Jr. responded to the news with a sharp retort. “Apparently a large group of Democrat legislators plan to boycott my father’s inauguration, which is great as it will make room for a lot more actual patriots to attend. They have my complete and total endorsement to stay at home,” he said.

Apparently a large group of Democrat legislators plan to boycott my father’s inauguration, which is great as it will make room for a lot more actual patriots to attend. They have my complete and total endorsement to stay at home.

— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) December 14, 2024

This latest boycott effort reflects ongoing tensions between the two parties and demonstrates how the January 6 narrative continues to shape political decisions.

For some Democrats, skipping the inauguration is framed as an act of resistance, while others see it as an opportunity to make a symbolic statement.

Protests notwithstanding, the inauguration will go on with significant participation from lawmakers, supporters, and guests, highlighting the enduring tradition of a peaceful transfer of power in the United States.

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