Joe Biden on Friday he’s glad President Donald Trump isn’t coming to his inauguration on Jan. 20 — calling Trump an “embarrassment” for his actions Wednesday when his supporters broke into the Capitol.
Biden said, however, that Vice President Mike Pence is welcome to come after rejecting Trump’s effort to overturn the Electoral College results.
“The vice president is welcome to come and we’d be honored to have him there,” Biden told reporters at a press conference in Wilmington, Del.
Biden slammed Trump for revving up thousands of supporters near the White House before the mob descended on lawmakers. Trump claimed the election was stolen by voter fraud and told supporters to go “fight like hell” at the Capitol to reverse Biden’s win, which they did, resulting in five deaths.
“He indicated he wasn’t going to show up at the inauguration — one of the few things he and I have ever agreed on. It’s a good thing, him not showing up,” Biden said.
“He has exceeded even my worst notions about him. He’s been an embarrassment to the country and embarrassed us around the world. [He’s] not worthy, not worthy to hold that office.”
The Democrat challenger also refused to weigh in on moves to impeach Trump, saying the matter was up to Congress.
“What the Congress decides to do is for them to decide,” he told reporters in his hometown of Wilmington, two days after Trump encouraged a mob of supporters to march on Congress.
“We’re going to do our job and Congress can decide how to proceed,” he said.
Although Biden previously said he wanted Trump to attend to help continue the American tradition of peacefully handing over power after elections. Only three other presidents have skipped their successor’s inauguration.
Biden said some Republican lawmakers felt really ashamed of Trump’s conduct this week. He went further to praise Republicans including outgoing Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) for denouncing the Capitol rampage. And Biden expressed understanding for everyday Trump supporters who mistakenly believe the election was stolen by fraud.
The president-elect likened claims of widespread voter fraud to the lies of Nazi propagandist Joseph Goebbels, and singled out Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) twice by name.
“This type of rhetoric is disgusting, dishonest, and bad for the country.” He said.
