Barragán Statement on Attending the Presidential Inauguration
WASHINGTON, DC –U.S. Representative Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-CA) today issued the following statement on her decision to attend the 58th Inauguration for Donald J. Trump:
“I have struggled with the decision to attend the inauguration of Donald Trump. Leading up to my election, I pledged to fight tooth and nail to stop Mr. Trump’s divisive policies. Since taking office, my resolution to restrain Trump remains absolute.
I have decided to attend to witness the peaceful transfer of power. I will attend because the inauguration embodies the enduring strength of our democratic processes. But I will also attend in protest. I will be wearing a pink fleece hat given to me by my constituent, Molly, from San Pedro. The pink hat will symbolize my distaste for Donald Trump’s destructive platform and rhetoric, and will represent Americans everywhere who stand against his contempt of women, immigrants, and religious and ethnic minorities.
My presence is also a visual reminder to Trump of my constituents who he has repeatedly denigrated: the unrepresented, the impoverished, the strivers, the people of color, and Americans like my Mom and Dad. I want to show Donald Trump that that immigrants have always added immeasurable value to our nation and we will not go away. We are here to stay.
I will not cheer, clap, or stand at the ceremony. I want Donald Trump to see that Members of Congress like me are going to be watching, holding him accountable and imposing vigorous oversight for his every utterance and action. This daughter of immigrants remains fully committed to showing him that the politics of division and hate will never take permanent hold in this country.
And the very next day, I will be back in my district to march with thousands of men, women, and children in opposition to Donald Trump’s presidency. We hope to support and inspire each other and the nation as we celebrate and honor our diversity, dignity, and human rights.”
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