Nancy Pelosi is extremely childish for this but neither Trump nor the GOP care.
Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has announced that she will not be attending the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump next week, a move that continues her long history of opposition to the former president. Pelosi’s office confirmed the decision to Fox News Digital on Thursday, marking her absence from what has been a tradition of bipartisan participation in the peaceful transfer of power.
Pelosi, who has attended 11 presidential inaugurations, was present at Trump’s first swearing-in ceremony in 2017, but her relationship with him has always been contentious. The former speaker has repeatedly clashed with Trump, from impeachment proceedings to public denouncements. Her office has not offered a specific reason for her absence this time, but her actions in the past—like tearing up Trump’s State of the Union speech in 2020—make it clear that she and Trump are bitter political adversaries.
For his part, Trump has not shied away from vocalizing his disdain for Pelosi, calling her out as “crooked” and “evil” at rallies, even going so far as to mock her with expletives. This deep divide has only grown since their time together in Washington, with both sides exchanging sharp words at nearly every opportunity.
In contrast, former President Bill Clinton and former President George W. Bush, along with their spouses, have confirmed their attendance at the inauguration, demonstrating a level of respect for the office, even when political disagreements run deep. Even Hillary Clinton, who lost to Trump in 2016, will be present at the event, showing a commitment to the peaceful transition of power.
Former First Lady Michelle Obama, like Pelosi, will not attend, further emphasizing the political divide. However, former President Barack Obama will be there, continuing the tradition of former presidents showing unity at such events.
As Pelosi skips the ceremony, her absence highlights the ongoing polarization within American politics, where mutual respect and tradition are often overshadowed by intense partisan conflict. For many Republicans, this is just another example of how the left continues to reject norms and civility, prioritizing political bitterness over unity and the ideals of American democracy.