Former President Bill Clinton and former First Lady Hillary Clinton plan to attend Donald Trump’s inauguration, putting the 2016 presidential rivals on the same platform just weeks after a tough campaign season.
Aides to the former president and former secretary of state say the Clintons will attend the Jan. 20 inauguration, AP reported on Tuesday. The announcement came shortly after former President George W. Bush’s office said he would attend along with former first lady Laura Bush. “Two well-placed sources” also told New York Magazine that “over the past few weeks Hillary Clinton discussed with trusted advisers and friends whether or not she should attend the inaugural.”
The magazine reported, “She and [former] President Clinton, the sources said, decided to do so out of a sense of duty and respect for the American democratic process.”
Hillary Clinton, the Democratic presidential nominee, has largely avoided the public eye since Trump’s come-from-behind victory in November. As a former president and first lady, the recently-defeated couple faced the difficult decision of whether to attend the ceremony.
In a statement on Tuesday, George W. and Laura Bush said they’re planning to attend. “President and Mrs. George W. Bush will attend the 58th Presidential Inauguration Ceremony on January 20, 2017, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.,” the statement read, reported the Dallas News. “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.”
Former President Jimmy Carter will also attend the event, according to reports last week.
But ex-President George H.W. Bush, at 92 years of age, will likely not attend due to his health.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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