Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., rebuked Democratic Party figures who attended President Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday.
Omar, member progressive “squad”, told CNN host Kaitlan Collins Thursday night that because of Trump’s alleged lack of respect for his political opponents and his “dismantling” of democracy, Democratic lawmakers should not have shown respect by attending his swearing-in.
“So just the level of indignity that was shown and the lack of respect for tradition, she said to me, no one should show him dignity and respect,” the lawmaker told CNN.
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Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., tells CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins that members of the Democratic Party should not have attended President Trump’s inauguration. (Screenshot/CNN)
Legislator roasted members of the Democratic Party for attending an event at X earlier this week, stating, “People are more upset about performers/artists attending Trump’s inauguration events, but not at all upset about politicians telling them that going to those events is a ‘threat to democracy’ is not serious.”
She added: “At least the performers know that they are there to perform and get paid, but these politicians who have been talking for 4 years and are now ready to be there and applaud him, they should be angry about that. They lied to you and your criticism/anger should rightly be aimed at them.”
When Collins asked about the statement Thursday night, Omar questioned why prominent members of her party, such as Biden, Vice President Harris, former President Barack Obama and others, were guests at the inauguration when Trump had not shown up to Biden’s swearing-in in four years, nor invited the new first family into the White House during the presidential transition, as is customary.
“You have to remember, Trump himself didn’t attend Biden’s inauguration, even though he was the outgoing president who was supposed to, you know, help with that transition. They didn’t have the decency to invite the Bidens to the White House,” the lawmaker said.
Collins then asked if Biden should have missed the swearing-in ceremony entirely. Omar did not say, instead claiming that his presence showed his patriotism.
“President Biden has always been a true American, a patriot. And I think the fact that he didn’t have a peaceful transition, and it was challenging for him, he wanted to show the American people how to do it and remind them.”
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President Donald Trump delivers his inaugural address during the 60th presidential inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/Pool via REUTERS)
She said that there are too many party leaders on it inauguration for the figure against which they should stand.
“And I think there were some exceptions of some people who might have been there with that kind of purpose. But to have a large number of people who showed up who really had no reason to be there, um…sends the wrong message to me.”
When Collins asked what the message was, the MP replied: “The message is that this person we told you is going to destroy our democracy and is currently in the process of dismantling everything we hold dear – I’m going to sit here and congratulate him, patting him on the back and clapping for him – that’s not a good message.”
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The host asked if Omar talked about Obama and his exes Secretary of State Hillary Clinton attending the inauguration.
“I just don’t understand why they would attend,” Omar said.
