Trump Won’t Attend Inauguration; Congress Pushes Ahead With Capitol Ceremony

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President Trump, pictured Wednesday, said Friday he will not be attending President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration.





Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images



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Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images





Rioters invade the inauguration platform of the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday.





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Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images

In a statement, the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies said that Wednesday «was a sad and solemn day for our country. The outrageous attack on the Capitol, however, will not stop us from affirming to Americans — and the world — that our democracy endures. Our committee’s bipartisan, bicameral membership remains committed to working with our many partners to execute ceremonies that are safe and showcase our determined democracy.

In the wake of the insurrection, security for the inaugural is expected to be extremely tight. A large fence has already been placed around the perimeter of the Capitol grounds. There will be few guests, and the incoming Biden administration has already urged people not to come to Washington for the event, in large part because of the coronavirus pandemic.