Rep. Elijah Cummings says he will attend Friday's inauguration to "honor" those "who struggled so that African Americans could be full participants in our democracy."
In a statement Wednesday, the Maryland Democrat – the ranking member of the House Oversight Committee – called the decision one "each member must make for himself or herself."
He called the event "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," his statement read. "I believe that I honor their sacrifice by asserting my democratic right to attend an inauguration."
Dozens of Democratic members of Congress are boycotting the inauguration, including many who cite Trump's criticisms of Georgia Democratic Rep. John Lewis.
"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,” Cummings said.
"Our democracy is the strongest in the world because our powerful executive is checked by an equally powerful legislative branch."
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.