Rep. Nancy Pelosi, also a former House speaker, will not be attending the upcoming presidential inauguration of Donald Trump.
Pelosi's choice punctuates the ongoing strained relations between herself and Trump and has surprised even some members of her own party, as the Los Angeles Times reports.
The California lawmaker's decision to miss the inauguration was officially confirmed by her spokesperson this past Thursday. While the spokesperson did not provide explicit reasons for her absence, it is widely recognized that Pelosi and Trump have had a highly contentious relationship over the years.
Last month, Pelosi was hospitalized due to a hip injury sustained during her travels with a bipartisan congressional delegation in Luxembourg. Despite this setback, the 84-year-old congresswoman has resumed her duties in Congress, demonstrating her commitment to her role as a lawmaker.
Pelosi remains a crucial and influential figure within the Democratic Party. Even though she no longer holds her longstanding leadership role after the Republicans took control in 2022, she continues to represent her constituents from the House. Her presence at significant events such as the Jan. 6 confirmation of Trump’s electoral victory underscores her ongoing involvement and dedication to the legislative process.
The history of animosity between Pelosi and Trump is well-documented and marked by several high-profile incidents. Pelosi has openly criticized Trump, referring to him as "crazy" and "unfit for office." Meanwhile, Trump has retorted by labeling Pelosi as "evil" and an "enemy" of the country.
This hostility reached a notable peak during Trump's State of the Union address in 2020 when Pelosi tore up a copy of his speech immediately after he finished delivering it. Trump has also publicly mocked a violent attack on Pelosi's husband, further intensifying their personal and professional disputes. Their sparring underscores a deeper partisan divide that has marked recent political interactions more broadly.
In related news, former first lady Michelle Obama will also not be attending Trump's inauguration. Michelle has been a vocal critic of Trump and his policies during and after his tenure as president. Despite her absence, her husband, former President Barack Obama, is scheduled to be present at the event.
Trump himself set a precedent for this sort of inauguration absence. He did not attend the inauguration of Joseph Biden in 2021 after losing the 2020 election, a move that was regarded by many as a break from traditional political courtesy. Trump continues to assert, without substantiated evidence, that his electoral defeat was due to fraudulent activities.
The cross-section of attendance and absences at Trump's upcoming inauguration highlights the ongoing polarization within U.S. politics, mirroring the broader societal divisions.
As preparations continue for Monday's inauguration, the absence of figures like Pelosi and Michelle Obama points to the broader implications of recent political dynamics. Their decisions not to attend reflect not only personal histories and health concerns but also deeper ideological and partisan divides.
Pelosi's non-attendance at the inauguration, therefore, is not just a personal decision but a symbolic moment in the continuing narrative of American politics, where personal histories and public duties intersect with national and political identities.
The unfolding story of this inauguration will likely be remembered for both those who attend and who choose to stay away, signaling their positions and perspectives on the state of current U.S. governance and its leadership.
