The decisions, reported at noon on Friday, came at the same time President Donald Trump announced that he would not attend the ceremony on January 20. the day before for the Mar-a-Lago property in Florida, although the source warned that plans may change.
An aide to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said she will attend, as do former first ladies Michelle Obama and Laura Bush.
Former President Jimmy Carter – who, at 96, is America’s oldest living president – will not be there because he cannot travel, nor will former First Lady Rosalynn Carter.
Vice President Mike Pence plans to attend the opening, but is awaiting an invitation, a source close to CNN confirmed on Thursday.
It is normal, though not mandatory, for a president who is leaving office to appear in the office of his successor. Obama attended Trump’s inauguration in 2017, as did Hillary Clinton, whom Trump defeated in 2016.