Steve Cohen

Data: Axios reporting; Note: Axios contacted every Democrat serving in the 119th Congress. The chart includes those who responded; Chart: Jacque Schrag/Axios Visuals.More than a dozen congressional Democrats plan to sit out President-elect Trump's inauguration, and many more are anxiously grappling with whether to attend, Axios has learned.Why it matters: Not every Democrat skipping the ceremony will do so to protest Trump — but a formal boycott is materializing as a first act of resistance against the incoming president.For many Democrats, the scars of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol remain fresh in the mind, marking Trump as a threat to democracy."For somebody who he said he's going to lock me up, I don't see the excitement in going to see his inauguration," former Jan. 6 committee chair Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) told Axios.State of play: Martin Luther King Jr. Day coinciding with the Jan. 20 inaugural ceremony gives many Democrats an easy out, though others planning to stay away cited a distaste for inaugurations, a loathing of Trump — and even fears for their safety.Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.) said that as a Latina, she doesn't "feel safe coming" with Trump's supporters pouring in for the ceremony. "I'm not going to physically be in D.C. on that day," she told Axios.Similarly, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) said that attending MLK Day events instead "makes sense, because why risk any chaos that might be up here?"For other members, the reasoning is more mundane: Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.) "almost never attends inaugurations" and has only been to two during his 28 years in office, his spokesperson told Axios.What we're hearing: Incoming Progressive Caucus chair Greg Casar (D-Texas), who hasn't decided whether to attend, told Axios, "I think you'll have some number of Democrats who go and a substantial number who don't.""There are civil rights organizations that are trying to set up alternatives," said Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas), adding that Trump's inauguration "seems like the worst place to spend Martin Luther King Day."Several progressives predicted that the boycott won't be confined solely to the party's left flank.Data: Axios reporting; Note: Axios contacted every Democrat serving in the 119th Congress. The chart includes those who responded; Chart: Jacque Schrag/Axios Visuals.Zoom in: Dozens of Democrats boycotted Trump's first inauguration in 2017, led by the now-deceased congressman and civil rights icon John Lewis.But the Jan. 6 attack, for which Democrats hold Trump squarely responsible, has added a new layer of disgust for some.Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) told Axios he "cannot be a part of that spectacle" as someone who was "locked in my office ... as the insurrectionists tried to overthrow our government.""I was trapped in the [House] gallery on Jan. 6," Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-Texas) said, explaining her intention to skip the ceremonies.Between the lines: Many undecideds are painfully trying to balance their sense of obligation with their detestation for Trump, as USA Today first detailed on Thursday.Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) expressed alignment with his colleagues who cannot bring themselves to go — but said he also believes members of Congress are "supposed to go to all of that stuff.""I'm struggling," the veteran lawmaker conceded.The other side: A sizable number of Democrats are prepared to grit their teeth and show up — if only to try to rebuild public faith in national institutions after the events that followed the 2020 election."I'm planning to attend ... because I believe in the peaceful transition of power and I respect the Office of the President," Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) told Axios.Rep. Becca Balint (D-Vt.) said progressives "are coming down in different ways," but that she feels "it's important that we try to establish norms again" after Jan. 6.The bottom line: For many lawmakers, the question simply isn't a priority at the moment.Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), asked whether he plans to attend, told Axios: "Pssh, is that the burning issue of the day?"Axios' Stephen Neukam and Stef Kight contributed reporting for this story.

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In response to the murder of American Hersh Goldberg-Polin by Hamas, President Biden sent “a letter of condolence” to his parents, scoffs HR McMaster at The Free Press.

DAVE OUELLETTE dropped out of Lowell’s 18th Middlesex District race this weekend, and threw his support to ... just kidding. The dropping out story belongs to Robert Kennedy Jr., who despite his family’s historically liberal roots, ended his quixotic independent presidential campaign this week and threw his support to the Republican nominee Donald Trump.

Similar to what is provided to traditional media, content creators can utilize a space to create share social media posts straight from the convention floor.

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is among dozens of lawmakers who are planning to skip Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's joint address of Congress on Wednesday.Why it matters: The list of lawmakers boycotting the speech is growing rapidly, with even one Republican saying they will not attend."The purpose of having Netanyahu address Congress is to bolster his political standing in Israel," Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), a libertarian isolationist, said in a post on X."I don't feel like being a prop so I won't be attending," he said.What they're saying: "Speaker Pelosi will not be attending today's Joint Meeting of Congress," a Pelosi spokesperson said."This morning, she will join a Members meeting with Israeli citizens whose families have suffered in the wake of the October 7th Hamas terror attack and kidnappings."Pelosi joins a number of leading Democrats skipping the event, including former House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) and former Jan. 6 committee chair Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.).Zoom in: Even some Jewish progressives said they plan to sit out the speech.Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.), who had been on the fence, told Axios he won't attend over Netanyahu's plan to meet with former President Trump: "When I saw he was going to Mar-a-Lago, I just thought that was too much."Rep. Becca Balint (D-Vt.) said in a speech she is boycotting because the speech will "serve as a distraction from the Prime Minister's failure of leadership."Go deeper: Democrats' chaos makes Netanyahu speech an "afterthought"

A gaggle of Republican delegates from Southern states reacted with apparent glee to the news that President Joe Biden had tested positive for COVID, when they were approached by the press at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, reported NBC News' Garrett Haake.“Bless his heart,” one delegate from Tennessee reportedly told Haake, with a wink. Another delegate from Alabama said, “We want him to live til November!”This was greeted with disgust from a number of commenters on social media.ALSO READ: Do presidents’ popularity increase after assassination attempts? History has an answer"Is this the unifying message they were talking about?" wrote the account @Jared_Poland. "Sounds like pretty fine people! Sadly, this whole Trumpism thing has taught me one very sad lesson. There are millions of very mean people in this Country," wrote the account @LDenoncourt. "Weren’t GOP just bitching about Dems stoking the flames of division? I swear the lack of self-awareness & overall cognitive dissonance needs to be studied in scientific laboratories someday," wrote the account @nickblax88.This comes amid some other controversial reactions on the Trump side to Biden's diagnosis, with Donald Trump Jr. proclaiming that Biden "didn't really get COVID," and "maybe they don't want him on a world stage anymore."Biden's positive test result came as he was preparing to give a speech at the UnidosUS event in Las Vegas, forcing him to withdraw from the event. He does not appear to be in any immediate life-threatening danger, according to medical releases.“Earlier today, following his first event in Las Vegas, President Biden tested positive for COVID-19,” said White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, noting that “he is vaccinated and boosted and he is experiencing mild symptoms.” And that while Biden recuperates at his home in Delaware, "The White House will provide regular updates on the president’s status as he continues to carry out the full duties of the office while in isolation."

An unexpected face was seen on the floor of the Republican National Convention on Wednesday: Paul Manafort, the former chief of the 2016 Trump campaign who was convicted of conspiracy against the United States and served two years of combined prison and home confinement before former President Donald Trump pardoned him on his way out of office.The appearance of Manafort, whose convictions stemmed from bank fraud, illegal foreign lobbying, and lying to investigators about his contacts with Russian officials, prompted a firestorm on social media, with many pointing out that he is just one of many convicted felons — including the nominee — on the floor of a convention of a party that is supposed to stand for law and order."This crime wave must end," wrote Lincoln Project co-founder and political strategist Rick Wilson.ALSO READ: Do presidents’ popularity increase after assassination attempts? History has an answer."People welcomed back to 2024 GOP convention: Paul Manafort," wrote Politico legal affairs reporter Kyle Cheney. "People not welcomed back to 2024 GOP convention: Mike Pence.""I was going to count all the people at the RNC who have spent time in prison — or currently risk visiting one — but I simply don't have that kinda time!" wrote Canadian comedian Deven Green, through her satirical Mrs. Betty Bowers, "America's Best Christian" persona."Tonight’s unannounced theme is a soft focus look at the Trump crime family," wrote former Senate staffer Josh Dorner."Paul Manafort was pardoned after lying about why he shared campaign strategy with someone Treasury says is a Russian spy -- who gave the strategy to other Russian spies," wrote analyst Marcy Wheeler. "And note, the platform this time around pretty much sells Ukraine down the river, just like Kilimnik wanted.""Is he already out of prison?" wrote the account @hollywoodpete69. "Oh wait, I confused him with Steve Bannon, I mean Peter [Navarro], uhm maybe Michael Cohen, or was it Roger Stone, but it could have been Weisselberg too......""Why is Paul Manafort, Russian colluder, allowed at the Republican Convention?" wrote the account @sto_k. "Republicans just flagrantly and brazenly showcase their criminality and collusion with hostile foreign governments now, apparently.""Good lord ... raise your hand if you are attending the @GOP Convention and DON’T have a criminal conviction ... not too many, I’m guessing," wrote the account @DrainTheTrumps on Wednesday."The Republican National Convention! AKA the prison reunion show," wrote the account @DaleGaldret.

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