As Donald Trump gears up for his second-term inauguration on January 20, several notable Democrats have announced they will not be attending.

Their reasons for not attending differ, with some citing prior commitments to Martin Luther King Jr. Day events, while others express safety concerns due to the atmosphere surrounding the inauguration.

This reflects a change from past peaceful power transitions, with certain members of Congress particularly cautious due to their involvement following the January 6 Capitol riots.

Among those Democrats skipping the inauguration are former First Lady Michelle Obama, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and several members of Congress, including Reps. Ilhan Omar, Steve Cohen, and Bonnie Watson Coleman.

Some lawmakers have expressed concerns about potential safety threats, especially since some individuals connected to the Capitol attack have indicated plans to attend, heightening worries for those who served on the January 6 Committee.

Rep. Steve Cohen, a vocal critic of the January 6 rioters, told Axios he cannot take part in the inauguration in light of Trump's remarks about pardoning January 6 prisoners.

Rep. Judy Chu also mentioned her commitment to MLK Day activities in her district, including marking the second anniversary of a mass shooting in Monterey Park, as her reason for not attending.

This contrasts with Trump’s first inauguration in 2017 when several Democratic lawmakers also opted out and follows his absence from Joe Biden’s inauguration in 2021. The decisions of other prominent Democrats, like Senators Elizabeth Warren and Tammy Duckworth, remain undecided as inauguration day nears.

Senator Bernie Sanders, when questioned about the event, dismissed it as not a priority.

Although attendance at the inauguration isn't mandatory for Congress members, the number of Democrats choosing not to attend indicates a significant shift in the traditional dynamics of political transitions.