Pence Expected To Attend Biden's Inauguration Whether Trump Does Or Not

Updated September 5, 2021

Ever since President-Elect Joe Biden was declared the winner in the 2020 presidential election, it's been clear that President Donald Trump has not taken the news well.

Between his continued claims of widespread voter fraud despite a lack of evidence behind them, his administration's delay in ensuring a peaceful transition of power to Biden's team, and even a suggestion that he'll refuse to leave the White House when Biden is sworn in, it's clear that the last thing Trump wants to do is concede the election.

And as such, it seems increasingly likely that he won't want any part in his successor's inauguration. However, it appears that the events of recent days have compelled Vice President Mike Pence to further distance himself from the president and follow the traditions set by previous administrations when Inauguration Day rolls around.

In all likelihood, most of those planning to attend Biden's inauguration won't actually have to go anywhere.

As Politico reported, any in-person ceremonies are expected to be limited, with the majority of the proceedings taking place in a virtual capacity.

This has led the committee tasked with planning Biden's swearing-in ceremony to urge people not to travel to Washington D.C. for the event.

And for a time, it was unclear exactly who in Trump's administration would attend the Inauguration in any capacity.

Wikimedia Commons | White House

However, Politico reported that three individuals close to Pence who spoke on condition of anonymity expressed that Pence would likely make an appearance in the interest of supporting a peaceful transition of power.

As one of these associates tells it, "It was a much more difficult decision days ago, but less difficult now."

Wikimedia Commons | The White House

According to Politico, what changed in those few days was the relationship between the president and vice president after Trump publicly criticized Pence before and after the certification of Biden's electoral victory by Congress.

This concerned Trump's desire for Pence to stop the certification outright, which he acknowledged in a statement that he is not empowered to do.

As for Trump himself, it remains unclear exactly what he will do on Inauguration Day.

Wikimedia Commons | Ali Shaker/VOA

As The Guardian reported, he had apparently scheduled Air Force One for a flight to Scotland shortly before the Inauguration. However, NPR reported that Scottish authorities have since blocked this journey due to COVID-19 restrictions.

According to Politico, Trump has also previously considered holding a rally at the same time of Biden's swearing in to announce a 2024 presidential run.

But of course, Trump can often be a hard man to predict.

h/t: Politico

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