Fences U.S. Vice President Absent from Trump Self-Farewell Ceremony

Attended Only Biden's Inauguration
From Loyalist to Rival
Former Secretary of State John Kelly, Who Received Trump Invitation, Also Absent

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] Vice President Mike Pence, who has been in conflict with U.S. President Donald Trump, has decided not to attend Trump's farewell event. It is reported that President Trump will end his term without inviting President-elect Joe Biden and his spouse to the White House until the end.

CNN reported on the 19th (local time), citing sources, that Vice President Pence will not attend President Trump's 'self-farewell' event to be held the next day at Andrews Air Force Base near Washington DC.

Sources said that Pence made this decision because it would be difficult to attend both President-elect Biden's inauguration and President Trump's farewell event consecutively.

Pence, who had been a loyal second-in-command throughout the four-year term, proceeded with the congressional certification of Biden's victory on the 6th despite President Trump's request. He also contrasted with President Trump, who has not contacted Biden, by having a phone call with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.

The White House is sending invitations to the farewell event to President Trump's acquaintances and close aides. According to CNN, former Secretary of State John Kelly, who has been appointed as the climate change envoy in the Biden administration, also received an invitation but is expected to decline. Even President Trump sent invitations to his former White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci, with whom he had a falling out, but he is also expected not to attend.

CNN reported that President Trump will ultimately ignore the tradition of inviting the president-elect and leave the White House without doing so.

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