The number of House Democrats boycotting Trump's inauguration just keeps increasing

President-elect Donald Trump\'s inauguration is happening on Friday, 20 January, whether you like it or not. What\'s not certain is just how many House Democrats will be boycotting the event taking place in Washington D.C., the national capital of the United States of America.
By Tuesday, the number stood at 44, up from Monday\'s 26 Democratic lawmakers boycotting the inauguration. They have pointed towards the President-elect\'s weekend spat with civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis. This, coupled with Russia\'s interference in the US Elections, and you have pretty compelling reasons not to show up.
Congressman and civil rights icon John Lewis, in an interview on Sunday with NBC News, dismissed Trump, saying, "I don\'t see this president-elect as a legitimate president". He announced that he wouldn\'t take part in the inauguration, a first for him since he was elected to Congress. "I think the Russians participated in helping this man get elected. It\'s going to be very hard, very difficult for me" to work with Trump.
True to form, Trump unleashed an attack on Twitter. Take a look:
Congressman John Lewis should spend more time on fixing and helping his district, which is in horrible shape and falling apart (not to......
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 14, 2017
mention crime infested) rather than falsely complaining about the election results. All talk, talk, talk - no action or results. Sad!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 14, 2017
Congressman John Lewis should finally focus on the burning and crime infested inner-cities of the U.S. I can use all the help I can get!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 15, 2017
Almost immediately, many elected officials had John Lewis' back, saying they too would boycott the Trump inauguration. Here's just one example:
I honor @repjohnlewis, a living legend & American hero. He's faced down some of history's most hateful: now & then his love & truth prevail. https://t.co/XVRahJYZsX
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) January 14, 2017
So far, this is the full list of those who have said they are boycotting the 'mega' event:
"You cannot be at home with something that you feel that is wrong," Lewis told NBC News.
Gutiérrez announced back in December that he would be boycotting the event. Instead, he will be a part of the Women's March that is scheduled for 21 January.
José Serrano, representing the Bronx, announced his decision via Twitter. "Cannot celebrate the inauguration of a man who has no regard for my constituents," Serrano said.
I will not attend the #inauguration2017 next week- cannot celebrate the inauguration of a man who has no regard for my constituents. #Bronx pic.twitter.com/Uz3NTgXl35
— Jose E. Serrano (@RepJoseSerrano) January 12, 2017
"My absence is not motivated by disrespect for the office or motivated by disrespect for the government that we have in this great democracy, but as an individual act, yes, of defiance at the disrespect shown to millions and millions of Americans by this incoming administration, and the actions we are taking in this Congress," Raul Grijalva said on the House Floor.
William Clay announced on 13 January that instead of attending the inauguration, he will be spending the day speaking with school children in his district.
Another one joining the Women's March instead of attending the inauguration.
I will not be attending inauguration of @realDonaldTrump but WILL participate in the @womensmarch on January 21st. https://t.co/tlqS26ulj7
— Rep. Nydia Velazquez (@NydiaVelazquez) January 9, 2017
Peter DeFazio's reason is not Trump being elected. DeFazio doesn't like "pomp and circumstance events in Washington".
"Donald Trump and the hate-filled rhetoric that plagued his election simply will continue in his administration," Ardriano Espaillat, the first formerly undocumented immigrant to be elected to Congress, said on his Facebook page.
For the first time in two decades, Earl Blumenauer won't be attending an inauguration. He will instead participate in events critical of President-Elect Trump. "Here is a person who ran a campaign that is the antithesis of everything I've worked for in public service," said Blumenauer. He added that the inauguration wasn't a productive use of his time.
In a press release published on 12 January, Barbara Lee said she won't attend the inauguration. "I will not be celebrating or honoring an incoming president who rode racism, sexism, xenophobia and bigotry to the White House." She then added, "on Inauguration Day, I will not be celebrating. I will be organizing and preparing for resistance".
Kurt Schrader jokingly said, "I respectfully decline to freeze my ass out there in the cold for this particular ceremony." He's up for collaborating with Trump when the man is making the right decisions but not otherwise. The weather, for those wondering, is expected to be a balmy 52 degrees farenheit.
Katherine Clark made her decision publically known on 5 January. "After discussions with hundreds of my constituents," said Clark, "I do not feel that I can contribute to the normalization of the president-elect's divisive rhetoric by participating in the inauguration."
News of John Conyers' boycott of the inauguration comes via a CNN report.
Another Facebook post. Another boycott. "I'll be spending Inauguration Day here in my district doing positive things. I invite you to join me. I will announce my specific plans and agenda in a few days, including some volunteer activities that you can participate in if you wish. Stay tuned for the details, and thanks for reading all the way to the end of this long Facebook post"
While Huffman chose to communite via Facebook, Maxine Waters didn't feel the need for more than 140 characters.
I never ever contemplated attending the inauguration or any activities associated w/ @realDonaldTrump. I wouldn't waste my time.
— Maxine Waters (@MaxineWaters) January 15, 2017
Another tweet. This time though, it's a video message. Listen in:
When #Trump places his hand on the Bible & takes the Oath of Office, he will in that moment, be in violation of that oath & the Constitution pic.twitter.com/mZCQrTua4R
— Mark DeSaulnier (@RepDeSaulnier) January 14, 2017
Ted Lieu from California made his decision clearly known on 14 January. This time via a press release.
"Can a man such as Trump have a good idea? The answer is yes. And if the next Administration has a good policy, such as withdrawing from the flawed Trans-Pacific Partnership, I will support it. But if Trump has unconstitutional or bad ideas, such as creating a registry based on religion or gutting Social Security and Medicare, I will oppose them.
"I can only hope that Trump will govern differently than he has campaigned. For me, the personal decision not to attend Inauguration is quite simple: Do I stand with Donald Trump, or do I stand with John Lewis? I am standing with John Lewis."
Another one in solidarity with John Lewis.
I will NOT attend the inauguration of @realDonaldTrump. When you insult @repjohnlewis, you insult America.
— Yvette D. Clarke (@RepYvetteClarke) January 14, 2017
Here's another video message posted on Twitter from 14 January. "All talk, no action".
"All talk, no action."
— Mark Takano (@RepMarkTakano) January 14, 2017
I stand with @repjohnlewis and I will not be attending the inauguration. pic.twitter.com/z8Q0wA9OPK
"I thought long and hard about attending the Inauguration because I value our democracy and respect the office of the presidency, regardless of party. However, the disparaging remarks the President-elect has made about many groups, including women, Mexicans, and Muslims, are deeply contrary to my values. As a result, I will not be attending the Inauguration," Roybal-Allard said in a statement Sunday.
"After much thought, I have decided to #StandWithJohnLewis and not attend the inauguration," Chu tweeted over the weekend.
"I cannot go to (the) inauguration of a man who's going to appoint people to the Supreme Court and turn back the clock on women and turn back the clock on immigrants and the safety and freedom that we fought for them," Gutierrez said last month during CNN's "New Day".
#ImWithJohn. Pramila Jayapal made it pretty clear over this tweet
.@realDonaldTrump: @repjohnlewis stands for best of everything in America. If anyone knows about action not words, it's him. #ImWithJohn
— Pramila Jayapal (@PramilaJayapal) January 14, 2017
Here's Mark Pocan's statement courtesy of Twitter.
After reading classified Russian hacking doc & @realDonaldTrump offensive tweets to @repjohnlewis I will not be attending the Inauguration. pic.twitter.com/wrEeGfqjrZ
— Rep. Mark Pocan (@repmarkpocan) January 15, 2017
Another one saying #IStandWithJohnLewis
As I told @JoyAnnReid, I will not be attending #Inauguration. I will be at home in Cleveland. #IStandWithJohnLewis
— Rep. Marcia L. Fudge (@RepMarciaFudge) January 15, 2017
Jerry Nadler is conviced Trump is with Putin, so he chooses to stay away.
.@realDonaldTrump stands with V. Putin. I stand with @repjohnlewis.
— (((Rep. Nadler))) (@RepJerryNadler) January 14, 2017
Many more are expected to join in during the run-up to the inauguration. The number, as it stands, is unprecedented.
Representative Karen Bass' spokesperson confirmed her decision in an email. She took to Twitter to ask her constituents about whether or not she should attend.
I want to hear directly from my constituents! Do you guys think I should attend the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump?
— Congressmember Bass (@RepKarenBass) January 15, 2017
Here's a Congressman taking to Twitter with a slightly longer message than usual.
I just told hundreds of my constituents that I will not be attending the Inauguration Ceremony this coming Friday. Here is what I said: pic.twitter.com/YLJz5OWjXe
— Rep. Don Beyer (@RepDonBeyer) January 16, 2017
Here's Pennsylvania Democrat taking to Facebook.
"I respect the office, can't tolerate disrespect."
Skipping Inauguration.@RepJohnLewis a civil rights hero. Enormous responsibility to be POTUS.I respect the office, can't tolerate disrespect
— Anthony G. Brown (@AnthonyBrownMD4) January 16, 2017
During Martin Luther King, Steve Cohen made his decision known publically.
Announced @ Mason Temple, #MLK final speech, that I won't attend #inauguration out of respect for @repjohnlewis & for unpresidential remarks
— Steve Cohen (@RepCohen) January 16, 2017
We will not celebrate a man who "preaches a politics of division and hate".
I will not celebrate a man who preaches a politics of division and hate. I won't be attending Donald Trump's inauguration.
— Rep. Keith Ellison (@keithellison) January 16, 2017
Another one standing with John Lewis.
I #StandWithJohnLewis. I will not be attending the inauguration. Russian hacking must be investigated and I do not support the repeal of ACA
— Dwight Evans (@RepDwightEvans) January 16, 2017
Zoe Lofgren told the Los Angeles Times, "I acknowledge the fact that he is the incoming president, but I'm not in the mood to celebrate that fact,"
Confirmation of Jerry McNereney's boycott comes from the Los Angeles Times.
The rhetoric + actions of @realDonaldTrump have been so far beyond the pale, I cannot in good conscience participate in this inauguration.
— (((Rep. Nadler))) (@RepJerryNadler) January 16, 2017
Another confirmation as per the Los Angeles Times.
At a dinner in Portland on MLK day, Pingree made the announcement.
At MLK Day dinner in Portland, I announced that I would not attend Trump's inauguration. Here's why: https://t.co/4P35Mi8rf4#mepolitics
— Chellie Pingree (@chelliepingree) January 17, 2017
"A real president doesn't attack the press because they ask tough questions," Ruiz told the Desert Sun. "A real president doesn't insult and bully celebrities or everyday Americans because they disagree with him."
A representative for Adam Smith had this to say in a statement to Seattle NBC affiliate KING 5 News, "As the House of Representatives is not in session the week of Inauguration, Congressman Smith will spend the District Work Period at home in Washington state meeting with his constituents".
Soto told Orlando ABC affiliate WFTV Channel 9 that he is "deeply disappointed with Trump's attacks against civil rights hero John Lewis and will not be attending the inauguration as a result".
You can join her for an interfaith Prayer Vigil instead.
I do not intend to attend the inauguration of PE @realDonaldTrump. Instead, join me for an Interfaith Prayer Vigil. pic.twitter.com/c5aJYEQOUW
— Bonnie WatsonColeman (@RepBonnie) January 15, 2017
Yes, she has a wedding to attend.
Congresswoman @RepWilson tells me she will not attend @realDonaldTrump inauguration because of a wedding that day. @wsvn
— Brian Entin (@BrianEntin) January 16, 2017
This news is courtesy the Washington Post: "For the last ten weeks, President-elect Trump has continually denigrated the office of the President by using his bully pulpit for insult and ridicule," Yarmuth said in a statement. "This is not normal. It is an embarrassment to our country and to the office of the presidency, and we must send the message that this behavior is not acceptable from the leader of our nation. Not attending the Inauguration is one way for me to do that".