For the first time since 1869, a sitting American president will not attend the inauguration of his successor.
A day after he pledged to work toward a smooth transition of power — a moot effort after five people died during a violent insurrection on the Capitol this week — President Trump announced Friday that he will not attend Joe Biden’s inauguration on Jan. 20.
To all of those who have asked, I will not be going to the Inauguration on January 20th.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2021
The Washington Post reported that more than 150 years ago, Andrew Johnson (another impeached president) declined at the last minute to attend Ulysses S. Grant’s inauguration.
Vice President Mike Pence is expected to attend the inauguration, according to reports on Thursday. But Pence’s spokesperson cautioned that the VP had not yet received an invitation.
