John Lewis on January 3. (Getty)
Although some Democratic U.S. House members had announced plans to boycott the inauguration on January 20 before Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, Donald Trump‘s tweets about John Lewis accelerated the number of Democrats who won’t be there. In a series of tweets on January 14, Trump said Lewis, a civil rights icon, is “all talk, talk, talk – no action or results” in response to Lewis’ NBC News interview. Lewis announced that he will not be attending the inauguration and he doesn’t “see this president-elect as a legitimate president” because of Russia’s influence on the election.
As of Tuesday, over 40 Democrats plan on skipping the inauguration.
Below is the list of Democratic House Representatives who plan on skipping Trump’s inauguration. It will be updated if others join them. The members are listed by state.
Arizona
Raul Grijalva. (Getty)
Representative Raul Grijalva announced on January 13 that he will not be at the inauguration. Instead, he plans to stay in his district to talk with those concerned about climate change and health care.
“I could not look at my wife, my daughters or my grandson in the eye if I sat there and attended as if everything that candidate Donald Trump had said about The women, about The Latinos, or The Blacks, The Muslims or any of the other things he said in his speeches and Tweets – that any of that is OK or erased from my memory,” he said in a speech on the House floor.
Grijalva also plans on participating in the Women’s March on Washington on January 21.
California
It is with a heavy heart and deep personal conviction that I have decided not to attend the #TrumpInauguration on January 20, 2017.
Several California Democrats have announced plans to skip the inauguration. Mark DeSaulnier announced his decision in the above Twitter post. Lucille Roybal-Allard said in a statement that, “The disparaging remarks the President-elect has made about many groups, including women, Mexicans, and Muslims, are deeply contrary to my values.”
“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,” Jared Huffman said in a statement. “From helping to build homes for local families to pitching in on cleaning up flood debris to welcoming new U.S. citizens at a naturalization ceremony — it will be an action-packed couple of days. Stay tuned here for more details.”
Barbara Lee issued a lengthy statement on her decision, citing Trump’s campaigning.
“After the election, many hoped the president-elect would turn toward unifying our country,” Lee said. “Instead he has shown us that he will utilize the same tools of division he employed on the campaign trail as our nation’s Commander-in-Chief. We need look no further than the team he is assembling to find signals that the era of Trump will be one of chaos and devastation for our communities.”
In his statement, Ted Lieu said that he doesn’t dispute that Trump won the Electoral College and said he would support any “good policy” idea the Trump administration might come up with. However, he will not be at the inauguration.
“I can only hope that Trump will govern differently than he has campaigned,” Lieu said. “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.”
Mark Takano, Judy Chu and Maxine Waters announced their decisions on Twitter to show support for Lewis.
“All talk, no action.”
I stand with @repjohnlewis and I will not be attending the inauguration.
After much thought, I have decided to #StandWithJohnLewis and not attend the inauguration.
I never ever contemplated attending the inauguration or any activities associated w/ @realDonaldTrump. I wouldn’t waste my time.
Karen Bass asked her constituents if she should go. So far, over 80 percent have told her not to attend.
I want to hear directly from my constituents! Do you guys think I should attend the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump?
Mark DeSaulnier added:
It is with a heavy heart and deep personal conviction that I have decided not to attend the #TrumpInauguration on January 20, 2017.
The Los Angeles Times reports that Zoe Lofgren, Grace Napolitano and Jerry McNerney will not attend.
Raul Ruiz told the Desert Sun, “A real president doesn’t attack the press because they ask tough questions. A real president doesn’t insult and bully celebrities or everyday Americans because they disagree with him.”
Florida
Darren Soto told WFTV, “I am deeply disappointed with Trump’s attacks against civil rights hero John Lewis and will not be attending the inauguration as a result.”
Federica S. Wilson told WSVN she won’t be in Washington.
Congresswoman @RepWilson tells me she will not attend @realDonaldTrump inauguration because of a wedding that day. @wsvn
Georgia
John Lewis announced his decision to skip the inauguration in an interview for NBC News’ Meet the Press. Lewis said that it will be the first inauguration he’s skipped since he was elected to Congress in 1987.
“It’s going to be very difficult. I don’t see this president-elect as a legitimate president,” Lewis told NBC News, adding that, “I think the Russians participated in helping this man get elected. And they helped destroy the candidacy of Hillary Clinton.”
Illinois
Luis Gutierrez also plans on attending the Women’s March in Washington on January 21. He announced his decision in a January 10 speech to Congress.
“I could not look at my wife, my daughters or my grandson in the eye if I sat there and attended as if everything that candidate Donald Trump had said about The women, about The Latinos, or The Blacks, The Muslims or any of the other things he said in his speeches and Tweets – that any of that is OK or erased from my memory,” Gutierrez said.
Kentucky
In a statement to the Washington Post, John Yarmuth said:
“For the last ten weeks, President-elect Trump has continually denigrated the office of the President by using his bully pulpit for insult and ridicule. This is not normal. It is an embarrassment to our country and to the office of the presidency, and we must send the message that this behavior is not acceptable from the leader of our nation. Not attending the Inauguration is one way for me to do that.”
Maine
At MLK Day dinner in Portland, I announced that I would not attend Trump’s inauguration. Here’s why: t.co/4P35Mi8rf4
#mepolitics
Chellie Pingree said she announced her decision at the Martin Luther King Jr. Day breakfast in Portland, Maine.
Massachusetts
Katherine Clark announced on January 5 that she won’t be at the inauguration in the above statement posted on Twitter. She expressed disappointment in how Trump has behaved during the transition period.
“I had hoped that the President-elect would use the transition period and his appointments to change course and fulfill his promise to be a President for all Americans; however, this has not been the case. After discussions with hundreds of my constituents, I do not feel that I can contribute to the normalization of the President-elect’s divisive rhetoric by participating in the inauguration,” Clark wrote.
Michael Cappuano posted on Twitter that he won’t be going. Instead, he’ll be available to his constituents in his Cambridge office.
Michigan
John Conyers. (Getty)
John Conyers, the longest-serving member of the House of Representatives will not attend the inauguration. His office confirmed this to CNN, but did not give a longer statement.
Conyrs later tweeted:
Agree with VP Biden that it’s time for Trump to grow up. Being POTUS is a serious matter – not child’s play. I stand w/ @repjohnlewis (3/3)
Minnesota
I will not celebrate a man who preaches a politics of division and hate. I won’t be attending Donald Trump’s inauguration.
Keith Ellison announced that he will not be there.
Missouri
On January 10, William Lacy Clay helped re-hang a painting on the U.S. Capitol walls after it was removed by Republican Duncan Hunter. (Getty)
William Lacy Clay‘s spokesman told told the St. Louis Dispatch that he plans on staying in St. Louis to speak with schoolchildren. Clay previously told the Dispatch that he will work with Trump if his policies “are in the best interest of my constituents in St. Louis, and working families across this country.”
New York
I will not attend the #inauguration2017 next week- cannot celebrate the inauguration of a man who has no regard for my constituents. #Bronx
New York Reps. Jose Serrano, Nydia Velazquez and Yvette D. Clarke all announced that they won’t be at the inauguration in Twitter posts. Velazquez said she will be at the Women’s March on Washington.
I will not be attending inauguration of @realDonaldTrump but WILL participate in the @womensmarch on January 21st. t.co/tlqS26ulj7
I will NOT attend the inauguration of @realDonaldTrump. When you insult @repjohnlewis, you insult America.
Adriano Espaillat wrote on Facebook that he believes Trump is trying to take the U.S. back in time. “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,” he wrote. “THIS is not Dr. King’s Dream!”
Jerrold Nadler will also not attend.
The rhetoric + actions of @realDonaldTrump have been so far beyond the pale, I cannot in good conscience participate in this inauguration.
New Jersey
Bonnie Watson Coleman will be in Trenton, New Jersey instead of Washington on inauguration Day.
North Carolina
Alma S. Adams became the first representative from North Carolina to say that she won’t be at the inauguration.
Ohio
As I told @JoyAnnReid, I will not be attending #Inauguration. I will be at home in Cleveland. #IStandWithJohnLewis
Marcia Fudge told MSNBC’s Joy-Ann Reid that she will be at home in Cleveland on the day of the inauguration.
Oregon
Earl Blumenauer in 2007. (Getty)
“I will forgo the inauguration, spending the day instead in my district talking with Oregonians to hear their priorities, try to answer their questions, and prepare for the coming assault on the values and programs we hold dear,” Earl Blumenauer wrote on Facebook. “It is hard to think of a better use of my time on January 20th.”
Peter DeFazio told the Oregon Public Broadcasting System that he doesn’t like inaugurations anyway, and avoids “pomp and circumstance events in Washington.”
Kurt Shraeder also told OPB that he won’t be there. “I’m just not a big Trump fan,” Schrader said. “I’ve met the guy and never been impressed with him. He’s the president of the United States now, so 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.”
Maryland
Skipping Inauguration.@RepJohnLewis a civil rights hero. Enormous responsibility to be POTUS.I respect the office, can’t tolerate disrespect
As The Washington Post notes, Anthony Brown said he “can’t tolerate disrespect.”
Pennsylvania
Brendan Boyle wrote on Facebook that he doesn’t think the inauguration should be a political event, but he will not celebrate Trump’s victory. He wrote:
After wrestling with this question for the last two months, I have concluded I cannot participate in this Inaugural celebration.
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.
Dwight Evans joined Boyle.
I #StandWithJohnLewis. I will not be attending the inauguration. Russian hacking must be investigated and I do not support the repeal of ACA
Mike Dyole also announced that he will not attend the inauguration.
I’m going to #StandWithJohnLewis. I won’t attend the Inauguration on Friday.
Tennessee
Announced @ Mason Temple, #MLK final speech, that I won’t attend #inauguration out of respect for @repjohnlewis & for unpresidential remarks
Steve Cohen said he will not attend after Trump’s Lewis comments.
Texas
Joaquin Castro. (Getty)
Joaquin Castro, whose twin brother Julian was President Barack Obama’s Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, announced in a statement that he is skipping the inauguration.
“I come from a family and a place, Texas, where respect is a fundamental value – respect for people regardless of what they look like, where they were born, or whether they share your view of the world,” Castro wrote. “Donald Trump has shown an utter lack of respect for so many Americans. His attack on civil rights hero John Lewis is the latest example.”
Lloyd Doggett wrote:
I will not be attending the inauguration this Friday. Read my statement here.
Virginia
I just told hundreds of my constituents that I will not be attending the Inauguration Ceremony this coming Friday. Here is what I said:
Don Beyer told his constituents that he won’t be attending.
Washington
I will not be attending Trump’s inauguration. I will be with the people of my district. #OurFirstStand
Adam Smith‘s office told KING in Seattle that he will be at home in Washington State to be with his constituents on January 20.
Pramila Jayapal also plans on staying at home.
“If I had any doubts about my decision, however, my resolve has only strengthened in the past few days as I watched Donald Trump’s response to one of our country’s great civil rights icons and a personal hero of mine, Congressman John Lewis. With Donald Trump’s tweet, he himself has inflamed the situation and now two dozen of my colleagues will also not be attending the inauguration. It has become a boycott,” Jayapal said in a statement.
Wisconsin
After reading classified Russian hacking doc & @realDonaldTrump offensive tweets to @repjohnlewis I will not be attending the Inauguration.
Mark Pocan issued the above statement on his decision, which came after Trump’s comments on John Lewis.