Rep. Tony Cárdenas (D-San Fernando Valley) is among the list of California lawmakers who won’t attend the inauguration of Donald J. Trump as the President of the United States.
“My humble and loving parents taught me to live by this saying, ‘Dime con quién andas y te diré quién eres,’” The congressman said in a released statement on Tuesday, Jan. 17. “It means tell me who you hang out with, and I’ll tell you who you are. My wife and I have lived this truth, and we have taught it to our children.
“This week I’ve been thinking a lot about what my parents, family, and constituents would say about the situation I’m facing. After serious consideration, I have decided that I will not stand with Donald Trump during his ceremonial inauguration. He has been consistent in his words and actions. He has disrespected countless Americans — women, civil rights leaders, Hispanics, people with disabilities, Muslims, gold star families, African Americans, POWs, and more. I feel this decision best represents my family, constituents, and country.”
Cárdenas said he and his family will instead join “thousands of caring, loving people” in the Women’s March on Saturday, Jan. 21.
“I will be ready to protect and defend the people who elected me and all Americans. I will continue to work with both sides of the aisle to find common-sense solutions, and I will continue to legislate for what’s right for all of us,” Cárdenas said.
Newly elected Sen. Kamala Harris, plus much of the Southland’s congressional delegation, also skipped the event. Harris was attending constituent meetings in Los Angeles during the Friday ceremony, her office said.
The senior California Democrat, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, was still undecided at prestige whether to attend,the Los Angeles Times reported. Feinstein, 83, recently underwent a heart pacemaker implant operation, but has returned to work at the Capitol.
At least 12 Democratic members of Congress from California said they will skip the event. The state has 55 members in Congress, and all 14 Republicans from this state have said they would not miss it.
“After much thought, I have decided to stand with John Lewis and not attend the inauguration,” tweeted Rep. Judy Chu( D-San Gabriel Valley). She referred to the Georgia congressman, who found himself in Trump’s twitter crosshairs on Jan. 14 for having question the legitimacy of Trump’s election.
Rep. Mark Takano (D-Riverside) also tweeted a shot at Trump: “All talk, no action,” he wrote.
Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles) tweeted that she “never contemplated” attending the transfer of power ceremony.
Rep. Ted Lieu, (D-Torrance) tweeted a broadside at the new president: “Trump — who lost the popular vote — has made a series of racist, sexist and bigoted statements,” he said in an email.
Republican members of California said they had attended Barack Obama’s inaugurations.
No statewide elected official within California government has said they will attend. San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, perhaps the state’s biggest Republican name, had not announced plans to go.
The highest-ranking Republican from California to state he would attend, other than the G.O.P. congressional members, may be Merced County Sheriff Vern Warnke.