Hillary Clinton has RSVP’d Yes to the inauguration of Donald Trump.
In just 17 days President Donald Trump will take the oath of office on the steps of the United States Capitol building and there will at least three former presidents will be attending the ceremony. It was announced today that former President Bill Clinton and 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton have formally accepted their invitation to attend Trump inauguration.
The 2016 Democratic nominee, who was defeated by Trump after a bitter presidential campaign “discussed with trusted advisers and friends whether or not she should attend the inaugural … [and] decided to do so out of a sense of duty and respect for the American democratic process,” according to sources speaking to New York Magazine, which first reported the Clintons’ decision.
But the Clinton’s will have company as former President George W. Bush and former first lady Laura Bush will also attend, the 43rd president’s office said in a statement Tuesday.
“President and Mrs. George W. Bush will attend the 58th Presidential Inauguration Ceremony on January 20, 2017, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.,” the statement read. “They are pleased to be able to witness the peaceful transfer of power — a hallmark of American democracy — and swearing-in of President Trump and Vice President Pence.”
Previously, Jimmy Carter was the only former commander in chief who had publicly said he would attend Trump’s inauguration. Bush’s father, President George H.W. Bush, will not be attending due to his health, a spokesman has told CNN.
Former presidents traditionally attend the ceremonial transfer of power at the US Capitol.
Despite being a fellow Republican, Bush did not vote for Trump on Election Day, a decision Trump later deemed “sad.” Bush’s father voted for Hillary Clinton, according to sources. During the primaries, both Bushes supported their family member, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, who was a fierce challenger of Trump’s.
Just a week after the election, George W. Bush lamented the role that anger played in politics today.
“I understand anger, and some people may have been angry when I was president. But anger shouldn’t drive policy,” Bush said in Dallas in a rare public speech. “What needs to drive policy is what’s best for the people who are angry.”
George W. Bush, whose younger brother Jeb came up short in his bid for the 2016 Republican nomination, did not vote for Trump in November. Bush and his wife voted for “None Of The Above for President,” a spokesman said, but voted for other down ballot Republicans.
Quotes used in this story came from CNN and ASSOCIATED PRESS
