Trump won’t attend ceremony; Biden happy

Published January 9, 2021
US President Donald Trump speaks during a rally protesting the electoral college certification of Joe Biden as President on Jan 6. — AP/File
US President Donald Trump speaks during a rally protesting the electoral college certification of Joe Biden as President on Jan 6. — AP/File

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump said on Friday he would not attend President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration on Jan 20, undercutting his own message a day earlier that he would work to ensure a smooth, orderly and seamless transition of power to his successor.

Trump offered no clues for how he would spend his final hours in office, and would be the first incumbent president since Andrew Johnson, in 1869, to skip his successor’s swearing-in. Traditionally, the incoming and outgoing presidents ride to the US Capitol together for the ceremony, as a symbol of the nation’s peaceful transition.

“To all of those who have asked, I will not be going to the Inauguration on January 20th,” Trump tweeted. The move had been widely expected, as Trump for months falsely claimed victory in the election and issued baseless claims of voter fraud. His own administration said the election had been fairly run. Vice President Mike Pence is expected to attend the inauguration.

President-elect Joe Biden welcomed Trump’s announcement, calling it a “good thing”.

“I was told on the way over here that he indicated he wasn’t going to show up at the inauguration,” Biden told reporters in Wilmington, Delaware.

Published in Dawn, January 9th, 2021

Opinion

The price of chocolate

The price of chocolate

Little attention is paid to any long-term strategy which might prevent vulnerable children from working in homes where they are in danger.

Editorial

Cholistan project
Updated 18 Feb, 2025

Cholistan project

GPI goals align with Pakistan's broader economic aims but the manner in which the initiative was launched raises questions.
Right to know
18 Feb, 2025

Right to know

IT is an unfortunate paradox that while on paper Pakistan has some of the most impressive right to information laws,...
Dam dispute
18 Feb, 2025

Dam dispute

THE situation in Chilas needs attention and a fair-minded approach so that it can be resolved amicably. Diamer ...
Climate funding gap
Updated 17 Feb, 2025

Climate funding gap

Pakistan must boost its institutional capacity to develop bankable climate projects.
UN monitoring report
Updated 17 Feb, 2025

UN monitoring report

Pakistan must press Kabul diplomatically over its tolerance of TTP terrorism.
Tax policy reform
17 Feb, 2025

Tax policy reform

THE cabinet’s decision to create a Tax Policy Office at the finance ministry has raised hopes that tax policy is...