Michelle Obama made it clear she would not attend Donald Trump’s inauguration, citing her belief that Trump is a threat to American democracy. A source close to her revealed that Michelle didn’t want to pretend to be pleasant in the public eye for the sake of tradition or protocol, especially after Trump’s past attacks on the Obama family and disparaging comments about people of color. While her husband, Barack Obama, chose to attend Trump’s inauguration, Michelle preferred to focus on causes she believes in, without the expectation of fulfilling ceremonial duties.
Michelle has always been outspoken about her principles. She once famously said, “When they go low, we go high,” a motto she adhered to during her time as First Lady. However, her strong stance against Trump, whom she views as undermining democracy, contrasts with her lack of condemnation towards President Joe Biden, despite concerns about the prosecution of political adversaries like Trump. Interestingly, Michelle did not speak out when the Biden administration used federal power against his political rivals.
Meanwhile, Trump’s incoming border czar, Tom Homan, pledged to begin mass deportations immediately after the inauguration. He announced that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) would be given full authority to enforce immigration laws, including carrying out raids to arrest criminal aliens. ICE’s mass deportation efforts were scheduled to begin with a large-scale operation in Chicago, with plans to expand across the country, signaling a significant shift in the Trump administration’s approach to immigration enforcement.
Homan’s promise to take the “handcuffs” off ICE and let them enforce the law without apology marked a stark contrast to the previous administration’s approach. He revealed that the operation would target criminal aliens, emphasizing a hardline stance on immigration and a swift return to aggressive enforcement. This move was expected to be a central element of the Trump administration’s immigration policy, starting from day one.
