The men who previously held the highest office in the land President Trump all remained silent as he took over the presidency on Monday.
All four living former presidents – Bill Clinton, George Bush, Barak Obama and Joe Biden – attended the inauguration ceremony and sat behind Trump as he delivered a politically charged speech about his vision for the country’s future.
No one had any public well wishes for the new president after the swearing-in ceremony. When asked if they planned to release a statement on it, none of their offices responded at press time.
Biden addressed only his supporters and staffers before boarding a government helicopter to be whisked away from Washington, D.C.
“We are leaving office, we are not leaving the struggle,” he told them.
Former President George W. Bush, former first lady Laura Bush and former President Barack Obama after the inauguration ceremony.
Former first ladies Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush and Jill Biden all attended the ceremony with their husbands. Michelle Obama was not present.
Sources close to Michelle Obama told People magazine that the former first lady planned to skip Trump’s inauguration because she cannot contain her disdain for the Republican president-elect.
Hillary Clinton chuckled when Trump suggested calling the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America. Bill Clinton told CNN of his reaction to the speech: “I think you can figure it out for yourself.” The Clintons did not stay for the opening lunch.
Trump and former first lady Melania Trump did not attend President Biden’s inauguration in 2021. At the funeral of the late President Jimmy Carter, Obama and Trump were seen talking and laughing like old friends, despite the history of political animosity between the former Democratic president and the returning Republican.
Former Presidents Clinton and Bush made no public statement about Trump’s inauguration.
The Trumps and the Bidens exchange words on Inauguration Day.
PRESIDENT BIDEN GIVEN HIS BROTHERS AND SISTERS ONLY BEFORE THEY LEAVE OFFICE
Trump took aim at Biden in his speech without addressing him by name.
“My recent election is a mandate to completely and totally undo a terrible betrayal and all the many betrayals that have taken place, and to give back to the people their faith, their wealth, their democracy and even their freedom,” said Trump. .
In a follow-up speech to his supporters, Trump called out Biden’s last-minute moves as president.
“You will see a lot of action against the J6 hostages,” he said.
“And I was going to talk about the things that Joe did today with the grace of people who have been very, very guilty of very serious crimes, like the UnSelect Committee of political criminals,” he continued.
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In an 11 o’clock move, Biden preemptively pardoned members of the January 6 House Select Committee investigating the role of Trump and his acolytes in the 2021 Capitol riot, along with Dr. Anthony Fauci and former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Mark Milley.
And just before leaving the White HouseBiden preemptively protected his siblings and their spouses from any prosecution.
