Republican Rep. Sean Duffy lashed out at Democratic congressmen who are boycotting Inauguration Day, telling CNN it is bad for the country if these events start to become partisan.
"We're all Americans," Duffy said. "You know what? I was not thrilled — it was a very depressing day in 2008 and 2012 in the Duffy household when President Obama won reelection. We weren't happy, but guess what? We go to the inauguration, maybe with a heavy heart, but as part of this American process."
At least 42 Democratic congressmen have announced they will not attend the inauguration amid the ongoing controversy between Trump and Rep. John Lewis, a civil rights leader. After Lewis said he would not attend the inauguration because Trump is not a legitimate president, Trump insulted the congressman on Twitter.
"It's like, you know, I was a little kid and I'm used to getting a juice box and a trophy whether I win or I lose," said Duffy, who is also vice president of Trump's transition team. "Listen, Democrats lost. Donald Trump won. You may not like him, you may not agree with the agenda just like we didn't agree with President Obama's agenda."
Duffy said a boycott would be bad for the country, because next time a Democrat is elected president, Republicans could start doing the same thing.
He urged Democrats to "Show up, be part of it. Put your big-boy pants on and let's start working together."