More than 60 Democratic lawmakers now skipping Trump’s inauguration – Washington Post
More than 50 Democrats in the House of Representatives have said they won't attend Friday's inaugural ceremonies. Here are some of the reasons they are skipping out. (Sarah Parnass/The Washington Post)
A growing group of Democratic lawmakers will boycott President-elect Donald Trumps inauguration Friday to protest what they described as his alarming and divisive policies, foreign interference in his election and his criticism of civil rights icon John Lewis, a congressman from Georgia.
There are now more than 60 House Democrats 65, at last count who have declared that they will not attend the inauguration on Capitol Hill this week. The number rose sharply after Trump tweeted Saturday that Lewis (D) is all talk, talk, talk and should finally focus on the burning and crime infested inner-cities.
Lewis, who sees Trumps Nov. 8 win as illegitimate because of Russias allegedinterference in the election, is best known for leading civil rights protests in the 1960s, including the 1965 march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala., during which state troopers brutally attacked the crowd. Lewis will not attend the inauguration, he told NBC News in an interview for Sundays Meet the Press.
President-elect Donald Trump's team and senators of both parties on Jan. 15 reacted to Trump's feud with Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.). (Bastien Inzaurralde/The Washington Post)
Heres a list of other lawmakers who will not attend, starting alphabetically with Rep. Alma Adams (D-N.C.):
Rep. Karen Bass (D-Calif.):
Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.):
Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.):
Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.):
Rep. Anthony G. Brown (D-Md.):
Rep. G.K. Butterfield (D-N.C.):
Rep. Michael Capuano (D-Mass.):
Rep. Tony Cardenas (D-Calif.):
After serious consideration, I have decided that I will not stand with Donald Trump during his ceremonial inauguration ... I feel this decision best represents my family, constituents, and country, Cardenas said in a statement.
Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Tex.):
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. I will not attend this years inauguration ceremony, Castro said in a statement.
Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.):
Rep. Katherine M. Clark (D-Mass.):
Rep. Yvette D. Clarke (D-N.Y.):
Rep. William Lacy Clay (D-Mo.):
A spokesman told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that Clay will be back home in St. Louis speaking to school kids.
Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.):
Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.):
His behavior and harmful words during and after the campaign have left the country I love with open, bleeding wounds. Instead of binding those wounds, he has poured salt on them, Connolly said in a statement.
Rep. John Conyers Jr. (D-Mich.):
Rep. Peter A. DeFazio (D-Ore.):
DeFazio typically avoids pomp and circumstance events in Washington, he said in a statement to Oregon Public Broadcasting.
Rep. Mark DeSaulnier (D-Calif.):
Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas):
Rep. Mike Doyle (D-Pa.):
Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.):
Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.):
Rep. Dwight Evans (D-Pa.):
Rep. Marcia L. Fudge (D-Ohio):
Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.):
Rep. Al Green (D-Tex.):
Rep. Ral M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.):
Rep. Luis V. Gutirrez (D-Ill.):
Rep. Alcee L. Hastings (D-Fla.):
Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.):
Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.):
Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.):
Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.):
Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.):
Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-Ill.):
Will not attend, per the Chicago Tribune.
Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.):
I acknowledge the fact that he is the incoming president, but Im not in the mood to celebrate that fact, Lofgren told the Los Angeles Times.
Rep. Grace Meng (D-N.Y.):
The President-elect must get the message that his antagonistic and divisive comments are unacceptable. We cannot tolerate attacks on women, minorities or a civil rights icon, Meng said in a statement.
Rep. A. Donald McEachin (D-Va.):
I have never seen a campaign that was based so much on hatred. I have never seen a campaign where a foreign power intervened to get one candidate elected and where the candidate did not even acknowledge, let alone condemn this behavior. Im not sure what there is to celebrate.
The continued hatred and insults even long after the campaign is over is unacceptable. He should have begun to bring people together the day after the election, and he has not started yet. I have a train ticket, but unfortunately, it has come to this.
Rep. Jerry McNerney (D-Calif.):
Will not attend, per the Los Angeles Times.
Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.):
Rep. Grace F. Napolitano (D-Calif.):
Will not attend, per the Los Angeles Times.
Rep. Donald Payne Jr. (D-N.J.):
I will not celebrate [Trumps] swearing-in to an office that he has proven unfit to hold, Payne said in a statement.
Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-Maine):
Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.):
Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Ill.):
Will not attend, per the Chicago Tribune.
Rep. Jamie B. Raskin (D-Md.):
I cannot risk my presence at his inauguration being interpreted as any kind of endorsement of the normality of our situation. I will not attend the inauguration, Raskin said in a statement.
Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-Calif.):
Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.):
A real president doesnt attack the press because they ask tough questions, Ruiz told the Desert Sun. A real president doesnt insult and bully celebrities or everyday Americans because they disagree with him.
Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.):
Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-Ore.):
Im just not a big Trump fan, Schrader told Oregon Public Broadcasting. He hasnt proved himself to me at all yet, so I respectfully decline to freeze my ass out there in the cold for this particular ceremony.
Rep. Jos E. Serrano (D-N.Y.):
Rep. Terri A. Sewell (D-Ala.)
Upon prayerful deliberation, I have decided not to attend the inauguration of the 45th President. While I have a profound respect for the office of the President, and I accept the results of the election, I simply cannot accept the blatant disrespect shown by President-elect Trump towards American civil rights icon, my colleague, friend and mentor, the Honorable John Lewis. The ongoing attacks against Congressman John Lewis are a direct assault on the sacrifices of those brave men and women in my Alabama district who fought, bled and died for the civil rights and voting rights of all Americans. As always, I stand with my constituents.
Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D-N.H.):
Rep. Louise M. Slaughter (D-N.Y.):
Will not attend, per the Democrat & Chronicle.
Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.):
As the House of Representatives is not in session the week of Inauguration, Congressman Smith will spend the District Work Period at home in Washington state meeting with his constituents, a representative for the congressmansaid in a statement to Seattle NBC affiliate KING 5 News.
Rep. Darren Soto (D-Fla.):
I am deeply disappointed with Trumps attacks against civil rights hero John Lewis and will not be attending the inauguration as a result, Soto told Orlando ABC affiliate WFTV-Channel 9.
Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.):
Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.):
Will not attend, per the Clarion-Ledger.
Rep. Juan Vargas (D-Calif.):
Rep. Nydia M. Velzquez (D-N.Y.):
Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.):
Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.):
Rep. Frederica S. Wilson (D-Fla.):
Rep. John Yarmuth (D-Ky.):
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, Yarmuth said in a statement. 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.
Jenna Portnoy contributed to this report.
More:
More than 60 Democratic lawmakers now skipping Trump's inauguration - Washington Post
- Maher slams Democrats, says hes open to voting for Vance in 2028 - The Hill - July 20th, 2026 [July 20th, 2026]
- The Democrats suddenly have a 39-year-old Senate warrior tearing into Trump and 'Prince Don and Prince Eric': Jon Ossoff - Fortune - July 20th, 2026 [July 20th, 2026]
- In Arizonas Primaries, Democrats Fight Over a House Seat They Need Badly - The New York Times - July 20th, 2026 [July 20th, 2026]
- Maine Democrats select delegates as the party begins the abnormal process of replacing Platner - Maine Morning Star - July 20th, 2026 [July 20th, 2026]
- Fetterman threatens to abandon Democrats - Axios - July 20th, 2026 [July 20th, 2026]
- Sen. John Fettermans small-dollar donor base dries up in another sign of his struggles with Democrats - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - July 20th, 2026 [July 20th, 2026]
- Democrats call for investigation into ICE officer shooting in Maine after new reports emerge - The Guardian - July 20th, 2026 [July 20th, 2026]
- These AIPAC-Backed Democrats Voted to Nix Israel Aid. AIPAC Punished Them. - The New York Times - July 20th, 2026 [July 20th, 2026]
- NEWS: Casar, Oversight Democrats Demand Investigation of ICE Murdering Lorenzo Salgado Araujo - House.gov - July 20th, 2026 [July 20th, 2026]
- Inside the fight over Israel tearing Democrats on the Hill apart - CNN - July 20th, 2026 [July 20th, 2026]
- Sen. Fetterman on Democrats' position on Israel: It's getting "more incredibly hostile towards Israel." - CNN - July 20th, 2026 [July 20th, 2026]
- More than half of House Democrats vote to cut Israel aid in growing split - AP News - July 20th, 2026 [July 20th, 2026]
- AIPAC stops taking donations for House Democrats who voted to cut military aid to Israel - The Times of Israel - July 20th, 2026 [July 20th, 2026]
- Will progressive or moderate candidates help Democrats win in November? - CNN - July 20th, 2026 [July 20th, 2026]
- Texas Democrats Ask for Investigation Into Ken Paxton After Our Reporting Found He May Have Violated Election Law - ProPublica - July 20th, 2026 [July 20th, 2026]
- Over 100 House Democrats vote to block billions of dollars in military aid to Israel, reflecting growing schism in party - CNN - July 16th, 2026 [July 16th, 2026]
- How Democrats datacenter push in swing states is risking their midterm hopes - The Guardian - July 16th, 2026 [July 16th, 2026]
- Trumps intelligence nominee Jay Clayton clashes with Democrats over 2020 election - AP News - July 16th, 2026 [July 16th, 2026]
- Nearly half of House Democrats vote to cut off aid to Israel as public opinion shifts - NBC News - July 16th, 2026 [July 16th, 2026]
- 100 House Democrats vote to cut off aid to Israel, showcasing party shift - The Hill - July 16th, 2026 [July 16th, 2026]
- Eight Democrats hoping to replace Graham Platner to debate Thursday - Maine Morning Star - July 16th, 2026 [July 16th, 2026]
- House vote to end Israel aid divides Democrats, with 103 voting to cut off funding - CBS News - July 16th, 2026 [July 16th, 2026]
- House defeats bid to end military aid to Israel as over 100 Democrats vote for it - The Guardian - July 16th, 2026 [July 16th, 2026]
- Here Are the Maine Democrats Running to Replace Graham Platner - The New York Times - July 16th, 2026 [July 16th, 2026]
- Senate Democrats block advancement of defense bill to protest Trumps hostilities with Iran - The Guardian - July 16th, 2026 [July 16th, 2026]
- Maine Democrats arent coalescing behind a Graham Platner replacement - Politico - July 16th, 2026 [July 16th, 2026]
- Democrats Split Over Rep. Massies Amendment to Cut Israel Aid - News of the United States - NOTUS - July 16th, 2026 [July 16th, 2026]
- Here are the 12 Democrats trying to win the right to face Susan Collins - Bangor Daily News - July 16th, 2026 [July 16th, 2026]
- Onondaga County Legislature Democrats have started fighting for their agenda. Its because they got a lawyer. - Central Current - July 16th, 2026 [July 16th, 2026]
- Democrats face test over future of party in Michigan Senate primary - The Hill - July 16th, 2026 [July 16th, 2026]
- "Every option is bad": Democrats squirm over House vote to shut off aid to Israel - Axios - July 16th, 2026 [July 16th, 2026]
- Senate Democrats Block Defense Bill Over War in Iran - The New York Times - July 16th, 2026 [July 16th, 2026]
- House Democrats fracture badly over Massie amendment to cut $3.3B in U.S. aid to Israel - Fox News - July 16th, 2026 [July 16th, 2026]
- Can Democrats Win Rural Voters Turning Away From Trump? Its a Tough Sell. - The New York Times - July 16th, 2026 [July 16th, 2026]
- Surge of House Democrats back failed bid to cut off U.S. military aid to Israel - Washington Times - July 16th, 2026 [July 16th, 2026]
- Todd Blanche says hes not a yes man while tangling with Democrats at his confirmation hearing - NBC News - July 16th, 2026 [July 16th, 2026]
- Nearly 200 House Democrats demand probe into ICE deaths without interference - Anadolu Ajans - July 16th, 2026 [July 16th, 2026]
- Exclusive / Democrats wage a new campaign culture war with the alpha left - Semafor - July 16th, 2026 [July 16th, 2026]
- US House defeats amendment to end Israel aid, but nearly half of Democrats vote in favor - The Times of Israel - July 16th, 2026 [July 16th, 2026]
- Opinion | If the Democrats Actually Want to Win, This Is What They Have to Do - The New York Times - July 16th, 2026 [July 16th, 2026]
- Democrats Haunted by Biden-Harris Switch as They Replace Platner in Maine - The New York Times - July 11th, 2026 [July 11th, 2026]
- As Democrats pick up the pieces after Graham Platner, many wonder: how did this happen? - The Guardian - July 11th, 2026 [July 11th, 2026]
- Why Democrats are salivating at Victor Marx at the top of the ballot - 9News - July 11th, 2026 [July 11th, 2026]
- Here are the races to watch as Democrats grow more bullish on retaking the Senate - The Washington Post - July 11th, 2026 [July 11th, 2026]
- Heres what we know about Maine Democrats plan to replace Graham Platner - Maine Morning Star - July 11th, 2026 [July 11th, 2026]
- Who will replace Graham Platner on the ballot? 7 Democrats to watch - PBS - July 11th, 2026 [July 11th, 2026]
- Opinion | Democrats extremism and stupidity are catching up with the GOPs - The Washington Post - July 11th, 2026 [July 11th, 2026]
- Democrats fear chances of winning Senate may be slipping away - The Hill - July 11th, 2026 [July 11th, 2026]
- Maine Democrats wrestle with the daunting task of replacing Graham Platner - Bangor Daily News - July 11th, 2026 [July 11th, 2026]
- Democrats say they want a fighter. Does it have to be a White man? - The 19th News - July 11th, 2026 [July 11th, 2026]
- Opinion | Why Democrats Are Tripping All Over Themselves - The New York Times - July 11th, 2026 [July 11th, 2026]
- Opinion | The Democrats Cant Go On Like This - The New York Times - July 11th, 2026 [July 11th, 2026]
- Democratic socialists arent the only young, progressive Democrats dividing the party - The Conversation - July 11th, 2026 [July 11th, 2026]
- Why Graham Platner wasnt the answer to the Democrats man problem Stateside with Kai and Carter - The Guardian - July 11th, 2026 [July 11th, 2026]
- Democrats have abandoned Graham Platner - Politico - July 11th, 2026 [July 11th, 2026]
- Democrats are calling for an investigation into Houston ICE shooting. Republicans have been mostly silent - Houston Public Media - July 11th, 2026 [July 11th, 2026]
- Why Democrats Would Probably Come Out Ahead if Platner Dropped Out - The New York Times - July 11th, 2026 [July 11th, 2026]
- Maine Democrats Hope to Replace Platner as Senate Nominee. Has That Ever Worked? - The New York Times - July 11th, 2026 [July 11th, 2026]
- Maine Democrats outline process to replace Platner on November ballot - WABI - July 11th, 2026 [July 11th, 2026]
- Southern Black leaders warn their power is on the line and Democrats are looking elsewhere - Politico - July 11th, 2026 [July 11th, 2026]
- Here Are the Maine Democrats Who Might Replace Graham Platner - The New York Times - July 11th, 2026 [July 11th, 2026]
- Inside the growing firestorm over House Democrats' meddling in their own primaries - Axios - July 11th, 2026 [July 11th, 2026]
- Democrats are calling on Platner to drop out after latest allegations - Maine Morning Star - July 11th, 2026 [July 11th, 2026]
- These Maine Democrats could run to replace Graham Platner in the Senate race - CNN - July 11th, 2026 [July 11th, 2026]
- Editorial: Centrist Democrats must not let democratic socialists take over their party without a fight - Chicago Tribune - July 6th, 2026 [July 6th, 2026]
- Why are Republicans red and Democrats blue? - The Guardian - July 6th, 2026 [July 6th, 2026]
- Senator Marshall: The Democrats Will Do Anything to Tear Down Donald Trump - Senator Roger Marshall (.gov) - July 6th, 2026 [July 6th, 2026]
- No Safe Seats targets Arizona Democrats. Heres what the campaign means - AZ Family - July 6th, 2026 [July 6th, 2026]
- Gaza protests against two Democrats spark outcry and debate on tactics - The Guardian - July 6th, 2026 [July 6th, 2026]
- Trump attacks Democrats in 4th of July speech marking 250 years of America - CBS News - July 6th, 2026 [July 6th, 2026]
- Whats fueling the far-left surge? Democrats themselves hate the party - The Seattle Times - July 6th, 2026 [July 6th, 2026]
- Republicans tout tax breaks, Democrats blast Medicaid cuts on bills anniversary - Washington Times - July 6th, 2026 [July 6th, 2026]
- Democrats want a supermajority on the Board of Supervisors. They have a North County problem. - San Diego Union-Tribune - July 6th, 2026 [July 6th, 2026]
- Josh Shapiro warns Democrats face battle over what we believe in after socialists upset primary victories - Fox News - July 6th, 2026 [July 6th, 2026]
- Democrats lay out investigation priorities if they retake the House - Washington Examiner - July 6th, 2026 [July 6th, 2026]
- Police arrest 2 for allegedly attacking Democrats party activists in south Tel Aviv - The Times of Israel - July 3rd, 2026 [July 3rd, 2026]
- Democrats plot subpoena storm over Trump's $2 billion gold rush - Axios - July 3rd, 2026 [July 3rd, 2026]
- As Trump commands 250th stage, Democrats offer their vision of patriotism - The Washington Post - July 3rd, 2026 [July 3rd, 2026]
- Democrats will have field day with Trump inquiries if they win House, legal experts say | US midterm elections 2026 - The Guardian - July 3rd, 2026 [July 3rd, 2026]
- Could infighting derail Democrats' hopes to win back House? - NPR - July 3rd, 2026 [July 3rd, 2026]