Cummings: I will attend Trump’s inauguration

Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) says he will attend President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on Friday, arguing it “is a decision each Member must make for himself or herself.”

Cummings, the ranking member of the House Oversight Committee, said he understands why scores of his colleagues have chosen not to attend the swearing-in, but explained that the event is “bigger than President-elect Trump.”

“There are so many people who came before me who struggled so that African Americans could be full participants in our democracy,” Cummings said in a statement. “I believe that I honor their sacrifice by asserting my democratic right to attend an inauguration.”

{mosads}His decision comes as the list of Democratic members of Congress boycotting Trump’s inauguration has hit 60, with many citing his criticisms of Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.), a Civil Rights icon, as their reason for not attending the ceremony.

Cummings’s statement echoed that of Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Wis.), who said she would be at the inauguration so Trump will “see The Resistance.”

“As millions of Americans witness the event, I want them to know that there will be Members of Congress present who will be vigilant to ensure that the Trump Administration is held to the highest ethical standards,” said Cummings.  

“Our democracy is the strongest in the world because our powerful executive is checked by an equally powerful legislative branch.”