(Headline USA) President Donald Trump said Friday he won’t attend Joe Biden’s inauguration on Jan. 20, after a day earlier saying he would work to ensure a “smooth, orderly and seamless transition of power” to his successor.
Trump offered no clues for how he would spent his final hours in office, and will be the first incumbent president since Andrew Johnson to skip his successor’s swearing-in.
Traditionally, the incoming and outgoing presidents ride to the U.S. Capitol together for the ceremony, as a symbol of the nation’s peaceful transition.
Trump’s comments come two days after a violent mob occupied the Capitol for several hours as lawmakers were tallying the electoral votes that certified Biden’s victory.
Biden is scheduled to become president at noon on Jan. 20.
“To all of those who have asked, I will not be going to the Inauguration on January 20th,” Trump tweeted.
The move had been widely expected, as Trump for months claimed victory in the election after voluminous evidence of voter fraud.
Vice President Mike Pence is still expected to attend the inauguration.
Biden’s transition team had no immediate comment on Trump’s announcement.
But Jen Psaki, his incoming White House press secretary, said last month that whether Trump attended the inauguration was not top of mind for Biden.
Adapted from reporting by Associated Press.
