Democrats boycott of inauguration is more of the same from DC
Lewis led a group of dozens of House Democrats who did not attend Friday’s inauguration on the front steps of the building in which they work. The paper has devoted more articles to the who’s-who of who is not attending President Donald J. Trump’s inauguration – from celebrities to Democrat politicians – than it has to the historic event itself. That’s what our lawmakers need to get back to doing: engaging and confronting one another, then working together for solutions.
Lewis’ defenders have been urging Twitter followers to buy the congressman’s books, a strategy apparently succeeding.
But Obama finished his presidency by signaling his regard for John Lewis, highlighting the congressman’s heroic legacy by posting that photo of the Obamas clasping hands with the civil-rights icon on the 50th anniversary of the Selma-to-Montgomery marches. I wonder if those same gay fans – who supported Hillary Clinton – had a problem with her accepting huge donations to the Clinton Foundation from Muslim nations like Saudi Arabia (a country where homosexuality is banned and homosexuals are punished by death)? “They are my friends”.
“After much thought and reflection, I have made a decision to attend the 2017 Presidential Inauguration”, she said her her statement. It’s another to claim that Trump is not a legitimate president.
Equally revolting was the Republican congressman who shouted “you lie” during President Obama’s State of the Union speech in 2009. Instead of serving as a gesture of integrity, the boycott lays bare the internal doubts about America’s election.
U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, also a Democrat, said he will attend.
“We all have roles to play”, Clyburn said. “I want you to know that I wish you the very best as you begin this incredible journey of leading our great country”. Some people take a different approach. “I learned when we first got started in this so-called civil rights business, if all of us did the same thing, we would never get anything accomplished”. “It’s really up to them and their constituents”.
In our view, all Americans – whether we voted for Trump or didn’t – should honor the inauguration because the simple, but profound ceremony through which power seamlessly, peacefully transfers from one president to another speaks to the essence of our republic. On this day, he said, party doesn’t matter. “I’m outraged that the demonstration that he had early in his life has turned into a subjugation of his right and authority as a black leader”, Weaver asserted, however.
Trump’s opponents, including some Republicans, felt the President-elect had crossed a red line. Adam Boulton will be in the U.S. to present a special Sky News programme – Trump: America’s President – every day at midnight from now until Friday.
His comments drew angry weekend tweets from Mr. Trump, who wrote that “rather than falsely complaining about the election results”, Rep. Lewis should focus on his congressional district. He respects their right to stay away.
“Well, I think he’s going to be inaugurated this week”, Sanders said, going on to call for an investigation into Russian hacking.