SAN FRANCISCO (Diya TV) — California Congressman Jared Huffman has a multitude of things he’d rather do on Friday than attend President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, so he’s going to stay home.
“I’ll spend that day, and actually several days, in my district doing service events and community events to try to send a positive message with my time rather than sitting passively and applauding while something that I think is very dark and dangerous for our country begins,” the San Rafael Democrat told the Los Angeles Times.
On the list of activities? He will spend time helping with a river cleanup, participate in a naturalization ceremony for new citizens and will join a local women’s march protesting the inauguration of the Republican billionaire real estate mogul.
“I’m going to be far busier in my district and in my community doing positive things than I ever would have been coming to Washington for that ceremony,” Huffman said.
As of Thursday night, 39 of California’s 55-member delegation said they planned to attend the inauguration. That includes all 14 of the delegation’s Republicans. Rep. Tom McClintock said: “I attended both of Obama’s. You better believe I’ll be attending Trump’s!” But at least 12 California House Democrats said they are skipping the inauguration. Another five have yet to decide, including Sen. Diane Feinstein, who recently had a pacemaker installed. Her staffers said they were unsure of her plans.
And it’s not just a matter of California Democrats — joining civil rights legend Rep. John Lewis and at least 18 other members of Congress, Seattle Rep. Pramila Jayapal says she won’t attend Trump’s inauguration this week.
.@realDonaldTrump: @repjohnlewis stands for best of everything in America. If anyone knows about action not words, it's him. #ImWithJohn
— Pramila Jayapal (@PramilaJayapal) January 14, 2017
