Schumer leaves door open for Senate Democrats to skip inauguration

By Manu Raju and Tom LoBianco CNN

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said Tuesday it was up to each individual senator to decide whether to attend President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration this week -- leaving the door open to potentially more Democratic protest.

Schumer told CNN's Manu Raju that he "respects" the almost four dozen House Democrats who have said they are boycotting Trump's inauguration and did not say that anyone is obligated to attend.

"I respect where they're coming from. There have been so many irregularities in this, especially with Russian interference, so I respect where they're coming from," Schumer said. "I think each person has to make the choice on their own, but I don't begrudge those who have said they're boycotting. Each person can make his or her own decision."

No Senate Democrats have yet to say definitively they will boycott the inauguration -- but pressure has been mounting from the left, particularly in light of Trump's continuing feud with civil rights icon and Georgia Rep. John Lewis.

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