Mitch McConnell reportedly wanted to disinvite Trump from the inauguration


Before then-President Donald Trump announced he wouldn't attend President Biden's inauguration, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) reportedly planned to tell him he wasn't invited.
That's according to ABC reporter Jonathan Karl's new book, Betrayal: The Final Act of the Trump Show, which reveals McConnell "wanted to get a letter together from the top four congressional leaders informing Trump that he had been disinvited" from Biden's inauguration. McConnell was reportedly concerned the inauguration would be "another opportunity" for Trump "to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power" after the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) reportedly wasn't on board with the plan, believing it would send an "important message of unity to have Trump attend the ceremony as Biden took the oath of office." McConnell reportedly still planned to put the letter together without McCarthy's involvement. But McCarthy, Karl reports, told the White House about McConnell's plan, and Trump subsequently announced he wouldn't attend the inauguration before the letter could be drafted. "To all of those who have asked, I will not be going to the Inauguration on January 20," Trump announced in a Jan. 8 tweet.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"Trump apparently wanted people to think it was his decision alone to become the first outgoing president after an election to fail to attend an inauguration since Andrew Johnson skipped the inauguration of Ulysses S. Grant in 1869," Karl reports.
McConnell voted to acquit Trump for incitement of insurrection in his second impeachment trial but still criticized his "disgraceful" actions, saying on the Senate floor, "There's no question — none — that President Trump is practically and morally responsible for provoking the events of [Jan. 6]. No question about it." Read more at ABC News.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
One great cookbook: ‘The Woks of Life’
The Week Recommends A family’s opinionated, reliable take on all kinds of Chinese cooking
-
Digital addiction: the compulsion to stay online
In depth What it is and how to stop it
-
Can Trump bully Netanyahu into Gaza peace?
Today's Big Question The Israeli leader was ‘strong-armed’ into new peace deal
-
Can Trump bully Netanyahu into Gaza peace?
Today's Big Question The Israeli leader was ‘strong-armed’ into new peace deal
-
Court allows Trump’s Texas troops to head to Chicago
Speed Read Trump is ‘using our service members as pawns in his illegal effort to militarize our nation’s cities,’ said Gov. J.B. Pritzker
-
The GOP: Merging flag and cross
Feature Donald Trump has launched a task force to pursue “anti-Christian policies”
-
Five key questions about the Gaza peace deal
The Explainer Many ‘unresolved hurdles’ remain before Donald Trump’s 20-point plan can get the go-ahead
-
Judge bars Trump’s National Guard moves in Oregon
Speed Read In an emergency hearing, a federal judge blocked President Donald Trump from sending National Guard troops into Portland
-
Russia: already at war with Europe?
Talking Point As Kremlin begins ‘cranking up attacks’ on Ukraine’s European allies, questions about future action remain unanswered
-
Museum head ousted after Trump sword gift denial
Speed Read Todd Arrington, who led the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, denied the Trump administration a sword from the collection as a gift for King Charles
-
Trump declares ‘armed conflict’ with drug cartels
speed read This provides a legal justification for recent lethal military strikes on three alleged drug trafficking boats