Trump Didn't Attend... Biden to Attend Trump's Inauguration Ceremony Next January

U.S. President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden have decided to attend the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, scheduled for January next year. Trump, the predecessor, did not attend Biden's inauguration in 2021, which took place shortly after the January 6 Capitol riot.

Reuters Yonhap News

According to CBS News and others, White House Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates stated during a briefing on Air Force One en route to New York City on the 25th (local time), "The President promised to attend the inauguration of the person who won the election," adding, "The President and First Lady will keep that promise." Bates said, "The President sees this as an important act demonstrating our commitment to democratic values and respect for the will of the people," and added, "We are supporting an orderly and effective transition of power."

Trump, who had claimed the last election was fraudulent, did not attend Biden's inauguration held on January 20, 2021. The inauguration took place shortly after the January 6 incident, when Trump supporters stormed and attacked the Capitol in protest of the election results. CBS News noted, "Trump was the first president in about 152 years not to attend the successor's inauguration." Traditionally, the outgoing president's attendance at the incoming president's inauguration is regarded as a symbol of peaceful transfer of power.

On the same day, Bates also confirmed that the President-elect's transition team had met several times with Susie Wiles, co-chair of the joint election campaign committee, who has been selected as the next White House Chief of Staff. However, Trump’s transition team has yet to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Biden administration’s White House and the General Services Administration (GSA). In response to related questions, he said, "At this point, it has not yet been signed." He added, "We continue to engage with the Trump transition team," and "The White House and the government remain ready to provide access to services and information as outlined in the memorandum."

Additionally, Bates mentioned that amid reports of an imminent ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah, Middle East envoy Brett McGurk is scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia on the 26th.