President-elect Joe Biden said Friday that it is a good thing President Donald Trump to skip the inauguration ceremony later this month after one of the most chaotic weeks in modern US politics.
Trump, who helped spark Wednesday’s violent riot on Capitol Hill, said on Twitter earlier Friday that he would not attend the event on Jan. 20.
“I was told along the way that he indicated he would not show up at the inauguration: one of the few things he and I ever agreed,” Biden said of Trump. “It’s a good thing he doesn’t show up.”
“He has surpassed even my worst beliefs about him,” said the president-elect. “He is one of the most incompetent presidents in the history of the United States of America.”
Biden, speaking from Wilmington, Delaware, added that he would welcome Vice President Mike Pence to the inauguration.
“I think it is important that we can adhere as best we can to the historical precedents and circumstances of how to maintain governance change,” said Biden. So if Mike – the vice president is welcome to come. I would be honored to have him there and move forward in the transition. ‘
Earlier in the day, Pence spokesman Devin O’Malley said the vice president and second lady Karen Pence had not decided whether to attend.
The vice president broke with Trump earlier this week when he said he did not have the authority to throw out electoral ballots confirming Biden’s victory. Biden said he did not speak to Pence about the vice president’s presence at the ceremony.
Biden also gave an oblique answer about his views on the Congressional Democrats’ attempt to impeach or otherwise remove Trump from office.
“I think it’s important that we go ahead with the business to get him out of office. The quickest way to make that happen is to be sworn in on the 20th,” Biden said. “What happens before or after is a judgment that Congress must take.”