20th January, 2017
Former President Bill Clinton accompanied the former First Lady, confirming their attendance in spite of the bitter loss and divisive presidential campaigns in U.S. history, according to the Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) monitoring the inauguration.
The Clintons, sources said, decided to attend Trump’s inauguration “out of a sense of duty and respect for the American democratic process”.
Former President Jimmy Carter and former Vice President Dick Cheney and wife have also arrived the Capitol Hill venue of the inauguration.
Former President George W. Bush and wife, Laura, are also attending Trump’s inauguration.
There are currently six living U.S. presidents, when Trump will have been sworn-in, a record number during any inauguration, NAN gathered.
Former President Bush and former first lady Laura Bush’s attendance of Trump’s inauguration was announced by the 43rd president’s office.
The statement said the couple “is pleased to be able to witness the peaceful transfer of power – a hallmark of American democracy – and swearing-in of President Trump and Vice President Pence.”
“President and Mrs Bush will attend the 58th Presidential Inauguration Ceremony on Jan. 20, 2017, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.,” the Bush’s statement read.
“They are pleased to be able to witness the peaceful transfer of power — a hallmark of American democracy — and swearing-in of President Trump and Vice President Pence.”
Carter was the only former president to RSVP to President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration.
Bush’s father, former President George H.W. Bush, will not be attending due to his health, a spokesman reportedly said.
Former presidents traditionally attend the ceremonial transfer of power at the U.S Capitol.
In spite of being a fellow Republican, Bush did not vote for Trump on Nov. 8 election, a decision Trump later described as “sad”.
Bush’s father voted for Clinton, according to sources.
During the primaries, both Bushes supported their family member, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, who was a fierce challenger of Trump’s.
Just a week after the election, George W. Bush lamented the role that anger played in politics today.
“I understand anger, and some people may have been angry when I was president. But anger shouldn’t drive policy”, Bush said in Dallas in a rare public speech.
“What needs to drive policy is what’s best for the people who are angry.”
Outgoing two-term 44th President Barack Obama who will hand-over to Trump, the 45th U.S. President, is the first black to have been elected U.S. president.