Capuano reverses course, won’t attend inauguration
U.S. Rep. Michael Capuano reversed course yesterday, deciding to boycott President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration after all, as the nation’s capital braces for an impending clash of pomp and protest.
“I am deeply disappointed in the way President-elect Trump attacked Rep. John Lewis, a personal friend and hero to so many Americans,” Capuano said in a statement.
“The President-elect cannot mold the world simply by saying so. But his words do matter, now more than ever, and he has given no indication of recognizing this.”
But Capuano’s spokeswoman told the Herald Sunday — as the war of words between Trump and Lewis had reached a fever pitch — that the congressman had a conflict and wasn’t yet sure if he’d attend.
“If he doesn’t go however, it should not be viewed as a statement,” spokeswoman Alison Mills said that day.
Capuano, who was traveling and declined an interview request through a spokeswoman, announced the boycott decision on Twitter yesterday, saying he’ll instead hold an “open house” at his Cambridge office tomorrow morning.
“While I have great respect for the Office of the President and I accept the results of the election, I will not attend the Inaugural,” Capuano tweeted.
Capuano and Bay State U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark remain the only two Massachusetts congressional lawmakers to skip Trump’s swearing-in.
Gov. Charlie Baker, a Republican critic of Trump, will be the guest of Vice President-elect Mike Pence at the Indiana Inaugural Ball tonight in Washington, D.C. He’ll also attend a reception at the New Zealand Embassy hosted by the law firm Preti Flaherty.
Baker, who said he didn’t vote for either Trump or Hillary Clinton in November, will go to the billionaire’s swearing-in tomorrow after attending a breakfast hosted by the National Governors Association.
All eyes will be on Washington, D.C., where proud Trump supporters hailing the rise of a new anti-establishment administration are on a collision course with disgusted protesters fearful of a devastating radical agenda.
Nearly one million people are expected to witness Trump take the Oath of Office tomorrow. Hundreds of thousands will take part in anti-Trump marches and demonstrations, including the Women’s March on Saturday.
The world’s media will also be watching to see if the two bitter rival sides can share the same city streets, hotels and restaurants peacefully.
Last night, gay rights activists held a dance party protest as they marched to Pence’s house in Maryland, jovially singing along to Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” according to a livestream on Periscope.
Meanwhile, ceremonies begin today with a wreath-laying at Arlington National Cemetery, then a “Make America Great Again! Welcome Celebration,” featuring country singer Toby Keith and rock band 3 Doors Down.
Trump and President Obama will share a limo from the White House to the Capitol before the billionaire delivers his Inaugural Address around noon tomorrow.
Trump yesterday tweeted a three-week-old photo of himself, claiming to be writing his speech at Mar-A-Lago, which he dubbed the “Winter White House.”
“Looking forward to Friday,” he said.