Staff Reports
In an unexpected twist of political decorum, the White House seems to be attempting to navigate the tumultuous waters of presidential transitions with some semblance of civility. President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden have confirmed that they will be gracing Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20. This announcement frames the current administration as champions of tradition—something that may come as a surprise considering Biden’s previously alarmist rhetoric about the Republican nominee.
Andrew Bates, the senior deputy press secretary, explains that Biden made a solid commitment to attend the inauguration of whoever emerged victorious in the 2020 election. This is a refreshing nod to bipartisan norms, especially after the circus that was the 2020 election cycle. The Biden administration appears eager to paint itself as a model of graciousness, even extending an olive branch to the man they painted as a villain for well over four years.
BREAKING: White House confirms Biden will attend Trump’s inauguration in January. You just know Joe and Jill voted for Pres Trump. pic.twitter.com/OsAYrNT7Hi
— Futurist™ (@americasgreat) November 26, 2024
In stark contrast, the former president’s last moment of political decorum in January 2021 was to announce that he would skip Biden’s inauguration. He didn’t just throw a tantrum; he cut and run from the ceremony, choosing to broadcast his refusal rather than witnessing a day that had historically been shrouded in bipartisan respect. Instead of shady backroom deals and press conferences filled with justification, Trump made it clear he was taking his ball and going home. This unceremonious absence marked a historic first, with Trump becoming the first outgoing president in over 150 years to shun the tradition.
While Biden had taken jabs at Trump lacking the decency to show up at his inauguration, there’s a ring of irony here. Now, he appears all too eager to showcase a veneer of solidarity, with repeated affirmations about a smooth transition and politeness oozing from every statement. One might half-expect the Bidens to roll out a welcome mat for Trump, complete with a complimentary bottle of wine and a heartfelt note.
Even as the first lady and Joe Biden prepare for the ceremonies ahead, one wonders how far this newfound commitment to decorum will go. For all Biden’s anticipation of a smooth transfer of power, anything resembling respect for the opposition can sometimes feel like a tall stack of pancakes with no syrup—sweet in theory but a bit dry in practice. One thing is certain: while Trump may not have shown up at the last inauguration, seeing the Bidens at his could either be a truly unifying moment or another chance for divisive drama—because nothing says ‘unity’ quite like an awkward handshake on live television.
