Juan Vargas To Boycott Trump's Inauguration

This is KPBS Midday Edition I am Maureen Cavanaugh. Donald Trump took to Facebook Tuesday to invite people to Washington DC for his and -- extended inauguration festivities. Meanwhile quite a few people already invited are declining the opportunity to see the 45th President of the United States sworn into office. As of this morning almost 60 members of commerce -- Congress all Democrat said they will not attend the inauguration. One of them joins me now. Congressman Ruiz welcome to the program. Thank you it is nice to be here. Many of the Congress members who are not attending say it is because of perceived insults by Mr. Trump to Congressman John Lewis. Is that why you are not attending? I have decided not to intend before he insulted our civil rights icon and the man who has called for unity and protection of every individual civil rights but definitely that insult made my decision even more appropriate to not go. Why did you make the decision? First of all let me say it's not a question about his legitimacy as president. Let me be clear he when the let tall college and therefore he won the election and he will be our President. I will recognize him as president Donald Trump like I recognize him currently as President-elect Donald Trump. The reason why I am not going is because I truly respect the office of the president and the peaceful transfer of power and we all mess respect the office of the presidency. President-elect Donald Trump has not shown the honor and dignity and respect to the office because he has not shown the honor and dignity and respect to individuals who disagree with him, to the price who ask him tough questions, to the intelligence agencies that we rely on for our national security just because it does not fall within his political narrative and all of these are things that are concerning to me because every time we insult an individual citizen it does not matter if they are Democrat or Republican or independent then there is a barrage of threats and more insults from other extreme supporters of his and that can put somebody's life and livelihood in jeopardy or even somebody's business in jeopardy and that is not using the office with honor and respect and dignity. Congressman Ruiz all of the people who are not attending -- all of the people in Congress were not attending are Democrat. They are all from the House of Representatives. Nobody from -- why nobody from the Senate. There are definitely senators who have echoed the same concerns and it could be that in the House of Representatives the people's house and I know that I am very close to my constituents and I know that I respect and honor their refinance and who they voted for whether it was the candidate that I voted for are not but I also know that we all want unity. I have been speaking with Congressman Ruiz from the 36 district. Among San Diego's delegation only one says he will not attend the inauguration. Joined me now is Scott peters who plans to attend the event on Friday. Congressman peters welcome to the program. Thank you for having me. Why have you decided not to join with almost 60 members of Congress who say they will stay away from the inauguration? There are almost 3/4 of Democrats will be there. Most of us will be there. I consider it part of my job and I have a great respect for the office even if I am appalled by who will be in the office. Part of democracy is the peaceful demonstration of power. The next day I will be marching with my wife and daughter in San Diego to send a message to our new president about what we stand for. Allegations about Russian tampering in the allegation have some believing this was not a legitimate victory by Mr. Trump. Does attending the inauguration make -- send a message that there is legitimacy? There are processes and I would say that the recounts in Wisconsin and Michigan looks like Mr. Trump one more electoral votes but that does not answer the questions we all have about Russian interference which is one thing I am very concerned about. Also the nature and extent of Mr. Trump's ties to Russia or to answer his questions that we have about his financial conflicts of interest. All of those questions remain and I am counting on those of us from both sides of the aisle to come forward and unite to get those questions answered. I do not think the fact that President Obama is on the stage or President Clinton and Mrs. Clinton will be on the stage -- the second they are there at suggests we don't have the concerns that we to respect the office. Many in the California delegation will not attend the ceremonies to think it will make that harder for them to work with the president? I am not optimistic given that what we've heard from us President that anybody can work with him. That is what I have signed up for. I have always said I will work with anyone who has a good idea and if we can work together with tax reform and infrastructure and immigration I'm hoping that's what I can do. You will be attending the women's March why will you be there? I want the president to now that just because he's taken the office of does not give him carte blanche over the rights of Americans. What he has said about John Lewis is really quite appalling. The way he has been we will have to fight that. Will begin that fight the minute after he's inaugurated. He has to know that we have to draw the line on this regressive approach to human rights and civil rights. That starts with the women's March in Washington. I've been speaking with Scott peters. Thank you.