Defeated candidates to attend inauguration as Kamala Harris returns to tradition

Defeated presidential candidates have a long-standing tradition of attending the inauguration of their successors. This practice will continue on January 20, when Vice President Kamala Harris attends the swearing-in of Donald Trump, who previously skipped the event in 2021. Trump's absence in 2021 followed his claims of election fraud and the Capitol riot. In contrast, past candidates like Al Gore and Hillary Clinton attended their successors' inaugurations despite their losses, emphasizing the importance of a peaceful transfer of power. The tradition highlights the continuity of governance in the U.S. Harris's attendance marks a return to this practice after an eight-year break, reinforcing the significance of the inauguration ceremony.