Staff Reports
Congressional Democrats have once again decided to indulge in some political theatrics by opting out of President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration. This time, they’re not labeling it a boycott, which likely reflects their realization that the tide has turned. After watching Trump’s masterful political resurgence, even their deep-seated anti-Trump sentiments are appearing a tad disheveled, as though they forgot to use the proper hair gel before showing up to the party.
In a flashback to 2017, when over 60 Democrats staged a grand display of disapproval by boycotting Trump’s first inauguration, it’s amusing to see how the narrative has shifted. Back then, they screamed about the dangers of a man they deemed unworthy of the presidency. Fast forward eight years, and many of them are skipping the swearing-in ceremony for reasons that seem suspiciously like mere excuses. Scheduling conflicts? Convenient story, but even the die-hard Trump-haters can’t blame the calendar for their absence when it’s really the prospect of seeing him sworn in that sends chills down their spines.
AOCs and their ilk have been busy concocting all sorts of reasons for their absence. The New York Congresswoman claims it’s simply a “logistical conflict,” as if her schedule is that busy—maybe she’s booked solid with a new round of Instagram Live sessions? Meanwhile, Rep. Emanuel Cleaver of Missouri is apparently caught in a moral dilemma between celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day at church and witnessing Trump take the oath. If anyone’s convinced that staying home in their respective districts is a principled stance, they’re barking up the wrong tree.
As expected, some Democrats seem to be scrambling to fit their absence into some form of protest. Rep. Jasmine Crockett from Texas reportedly can’t bear the thought of watching Trump on MLK Day. She claims it’d be the worst way to honor Dr. King, as if Dr. King himself would’ve been cheering for the likes of her. Perhaps if Trump were a “traditional Republican,” her attendance wouldn’t have been such a moral burden. Funny how political affiliation can dictate one’s ethics these days.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Emanuel Cleaver, other Democrats skipping Trump’s inauguration aren’t calling it a boycotthttps://t.co/uimwxlxXGQ pic.twitter.com/4dnl2MycSA
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) January 14, 2025
The ongoing saga of excuses continues with Rep. Ayanna Pressley, who has opted for community events instead of attending the inauguration. Her description of these soul-feeding gatherings is endearing, even if it smells like a last-minute alibi for not wanting to face Trump’s overwhelming popularity. The once-significant Democrat refrain of labeling Trump as illegitimate seems to have evaporated after he wiped the floor against battleground states in November.
Lastly, there is the classic fear-mongering tactic: invoking the January 6 event to rationalize their absence. Rep. Steve Cohen of Tennessee is providing a melodramatic account of how he was “locked” in his office while chaos unfolded. Kudos for the vivid recollection, but it seems like a flimsy excuse to miss what could be a historic event. The real spectacle appears to be the Democrats themselves, scrambling for justification while desperately trying to reclaim any semblance of dignity in the wake of President Trump’s notable comeback.
