Democrats to Boycott Trump's Inauguration
A growing number 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 on Saturday.
Some members of
Congress have said they will be protesting in Washington, D.C., and in their
districts instead. Here's a list of Democrats who have publicly said they won't
be at Friday's ceremony:
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.
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.
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."
I will NOT attend the inauguration of @realDonaldTrump. When you insult @repjohnlewis, you insult America.
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 school children.
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
Wisconsin Rep. Mark Pocan
"After
reading classified Russian hacking doc & @realDonaldTrump offensive tweets
to @repjohnlewis I will not be attending the Inauguration."
"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."
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