The opponent of US President–elect Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election, Hillary Clinton, has decided to take part in his inauguration along with her husband, former President Bill Clinton, as well as former President George W. Bush and his wife, Laura.
The two couples released statements Tuesday, saying they would participate in the ceremony on January 20th.
The decision was specifically hard on Clinton following a bitter campaign that ended with her loss, but the former secretary of state, New York senator, and first lady is apparently opting to support a peaceful transition despite ongoing allegations that Russians were behind Trump’s victory.
The Bushes will be "pleased to be able to witness the peaceful transfer of power - a hallmark of American democracy - and swearing-in of President Trump and Vice President Pence," former President Bush's office said in a statement.
Bush’s decision was also a little unexpected, given the way his brother, Jeb, was treated by Trump in the GOP primaries in the run-up to the 2016 vote.
Bush and his wife have previously made it public that they voted for "none of the above" option rather than their party’s nominee, Trump, on November 8.
Former President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, will also be there for the ceremony but former President George H.W. Bush, 92, and his wife, Barbara, will not, apparently due to the former president’s age and health condition.
January 20th will mark the first time since the 2016 campaigning that Trump and Hillary would share the same platform.
Meanwhile, protests have been scheduled against the former real estate tycoon and reality TV star’s presidency, gained despite having nearly three million fewer votes than the Democratic candidate.