Middlesex/Mercer County Congresswoman Boycotts Trump's Inauguration

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ - Congresswoman Bonnie Watson-Coleman (D-12th district) is boycotting the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump on Friday. Instead of going to Washington, Rep. Watson-Coleman will host what she is calling an "interfaith unity and reflection vigil" at Shiloh Baptist Church in Trenton on Friday, which is open to all.

"This is not a decision I take lightly," said Rep. Watson-Coleman in a statement. "The peaceful transition of power is a defining characteristic of our democracy. Inaugurations should serve as a celebration of the best of our nation — a symbol of unity and strength. Unfortunately, it is increasingly clear that President-elect Trump is not just unfit for office, but his actions and promises threaten the very democracy for which we are supposed to gather to celebrate. I simply cannot in good conscious [sic] participate."

Rep. Donald Payne Jr. (D-10th District), which includes Newark and parts of Hudson County, said he will also not attend Trump's inauguration. So far, Payne and Watson-Coleman are the only two elected officials in New Jersey to skip the inauguration, although Philadelphia's entire congressional delegation said they will not be attending. Nationally, about 60 Congressional Democrats overall will not be attending Trump's inauguration.

Rep. Watson-Coleman represents New Jersey's 12th Congressional District, a Democratic-leaning district that stretches from Plainfield and Scotch Plains down into Franklin Township (Somerset County), and includes most of Middlesex County, including South Brunswick and East Brunswick, and Mercer County, including Princeton and Trenton. It's historically been a swing district in New Jersey, but because of redistricting in the early 2000s it has now become solidly blue.

“The constituents of the New Jersey’s Twelfth District are a cross section of the many groups and millions of Americans that this incoming Administration has turned its back on," said Rep. Watson-Coleman. "Our nation is founded on democracy and inclusion that unfortunately our president-elect refuses to represent."

Watson-Coleman said she will be at the Women's March on Trenton Saturday, which coincides with the Women's March on Washington.

“I’ve not had any second thoughts,” she told NJ 101.5 of her decision to boycott Trump's swearing in. “It was my intention very early on not to attend the inauguration. I’m not sorry I made that decision.”