Boycotting Donald Trump's inauguration might be all the rage among Democrats in Washington, D.C., but so far only three of Florida's 12 congressional Democrats have announced they'll skip the swearing-in of the 45th president.
Congressman Alcee Hastings, Congressman Darren Soto and Congresswoman Frederica Wilson won't be on hand when Trump takes the oath of office Friday. Dozens of Democratic members of Congress have announced they won't attend the ceremony after a blow-up between Trump and Congressman John Lewis, a Georgia Democrat and icon of the civil-rights movement.
Hastings issued a statement denouncing Trump for everything from the president-elect's attacks on Lewis to a dust-up with American intelligence agencies over the role of Russia and its president, Vladimir Putin, in the 2016 election.
"This decision is not a protest of the results of the Electoral College, but rather, an objection to the demagoguery that continues to define the incoming administration. ... President-elect Trump has made it clear that when given the choice, he stands with Vladimir Putin. I choose to stand with Rep. John Lewis, and every American that expects our president to serve with compassion and humility," Hastings said.
Soto's statement --- issued over Twitter this week --- was more concise.
"I have a long history of working across the aisle and will continue to do so in Congress," Soto wrote. "However, I am deeply disappointed with President-Elect Donald Trump's attacks against civil rights hero Congressman John Lewis and will not be attending the Inauguration as a result."
Wilson's case is a little more complicated. Her goddaughter is getting married in Miami this weekend, and the congresswoman said she "struggled for months to make the choice" of which event to attend.
Wilson said she would watch the inauguration on television, with participants in her "5000 Role Models of Excellence Project," which aims to pair at-risk boys with positive role models.
"Mr. Trump's inauguration speech will provide an unparalleled opportunity for him to set the tone for his administration and share his vision for how he will be a 'president for all Americans,' " Wilson said. "I am eager to hear what he has to say."
While Democratic lawmakers who are boycotting the event have been eager to get the word out, those who will instead attend the inauguration have usually made their intentions clear when specifically asked about it. One exception was Congresswoman Lois Frankel, who issued a statement explaining her decision.
"While our country is politically divided, it still remains that one of the most important hallmarks of American democracy is the peaceful transition of power," Frankel said. "I will be attending the 2017 inauguration in the spirit of bipartisanship and a signal to those watching that our government belongs to all the people."
But Frankel added that she respects members of Congress who will sit out, and will attend the Women's March on Washington, a reaction to Trump's swearing-in, the day after the inauguration.
SCOTT: TRUMP WILL BE `FOCUSED' ON PRESIDENTIAL TASK
Meanwhile, Trump supporter Gov. Rick Scott says the part-time occupant of the new Winter White House in Palm Beach is a "focused" businessman, just like himself.
When asked Wednesday about any advice he's given Trump, the Republican governor said he doesn't see much difference in running a business or being in elected office.
"Early on the big difference is how much media attention you have for everything you do," Scott said during an appearance on CNBC. "But the rest is very similar, successful businesspeople have a significant focus and they work their tails off for success. It works in politics."
"Donald Trump is successful because he works his tail off," Scott continued. "I think he'll be very focused on the things he talked about in the campaign. He's going to be focused on bringing jobs back to this country. He's going to be very focused on repealing and replacing Obamacare. He's going to be very focused on building our military up. He's also going to be very focused on taking care of our law enforcement."
Scott was in D.C. this week. He held meetings with the media, incoming Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly and U.S. Reps. Francis Rooney and Neal Dunn, both Republicans from Florida.
Scott also hosted a gala Wednesday night at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium. The gala featured music by the Beach Boys and was funded by the governor's political committee, "Let's Get to Work."
TWEET OF THE WEEK: "Just ran into the first guy who ever fired me. The next president of the United States @realDonaldTrump #Apprentice #POTUS #ElPresidente."---State Rep. Jose Felix Diaz (@josefelixdiaz), a Miami Republican and former contestant on "The Apprentice." The post was accompanied by a picture of Diaz and Trump.
