Some veterans disappointed Congressman Ruiz to skip President-elect’s Inauguration

“Whether we like Donald Trump or not, he is going to be the president for the next four years. Respect the office whether you respect the man or not,” veteran Alan Tripp said.

Some veterans said they learned to follow orders in the military, and they feel elected officials should follow certain standards as well.

“Congress needs to witness this. It’s an ostentatious moment for all of us and I would expect that Dr. Ruiz who is a healer, who knows that our country needs to be healed would be there to bear witness,” veteran Constance Morrison said.

In an interview Monday, Ruiz said instead of attending Trump’s inaugural, he will be attending a veteran’s expo in the valley. He claims it’s not a boycott, but an important statement.

The congressman said, “My concern is that the president-elect has disrespected veterans, prisoners of war and the intelligence agencies that are so essential to our national security. My point is that I hope the president-elect will begin to unify the country and stop belittling people who disagree with him.”

It’s a statement some admire.

“When he made that decision, which actually, supports me and my family with the current political climate that’s going on. I believe he has made the right decision,” veteran Chad Shipley said.

Some non-veterans defended the decision.

“Many of our colleagues in the House of Representatives and the Senate like Congressman Ruiz and so many others are saying no we’re not disrespecting the office but we have a difficulty respecting this man,” Elle Kurpiewski with the Democratic Headquarters of the Desert said.