Donald Trump Confirms He Won't Attend Joe Biden's Inauguration Ceremony

US President Donald Trump has confirmed that he will not be going to the inauguration ceremony of his successor, Joe Biden.

Using his Twitter account - which he was temporarily banned from after the violent scenes in Washington DC the other day - the outgoing Republican president wrote: "To all of those who have asked, I will not be going to the Inauguration on January 20th."

That Trump will not attend the ceremony on January 20 is not a massive surprise, particularly after everything that has happened in the US capital in recent days and his continual repetition of baseless claims that the election in November was in some way 'stolen' or fraudulent.

However, Trump did issue a speech after the rioting in which he committed to a peaceful transfer of power. That might be a bit easier to deliver if he is not present.

Trump said: "Even though I totally disagree with the outcome of the election, and the facts bear me out, nevertheless there will be an orderly transition on January 20th.

"I have always said we would continue our fight to ensure that only legal votes were counted.

"While this represents the end of the greatest first term in presidential history, it's only the beginning of our fight to Make America Great Again!"

After the Capitol Building was stormed by Trump supporters, which led to the death of four people, including 35-year-old Ashli Babbit who was shot dead, Congress returned to sit later that same day in order to formally confirm Biden's Electoral College victory.

Speaking about the scenes at the Capitol, Biden said: ""This is not dissent. It's disorder. It's chaos. It borders on sedition and it must end now."

Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi also called upon Vice President Mike Pence to invoke the 25^th Amendment to the US Constitution, which would see Trump removed from office if declared 'unfit'.

She said: "Yesterday, the President of the United States incited an armed insurrection against America.

"While it is only 13 days left, any day can be a horror show."

Democrat Pelosi also accused the outgoing President of a 'seditious act' in inciting the rioting.

Pence is now expected to represent the outgoing administration at Biden's inauguration, according to sources close to the VP.

One such source told Politico: "It was a much more difficult decision days ago, but less difficult now."

However, Devin O'Malley, Pence's spokesperson, said that the VP and second lady 'have not yet made a decision on their attendance".

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: World News, US News, Donald Trump, Politics

Tom Wood

Tom Wood is a LADbible journalist and Twin Peaks enthusiast. Despite having a career in football cut short by a chronic lack of talent, he managed to obtain degrees from both the University of London and Salford. According to his French teacher, at the weekends he mostly likes to play football and go to the park with his brother. Contact Tom on [email protected]

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