Politics in the 2020s has been anything but predictable. If you're looking back at the footage from January 20, 2021, and wondering, was Mike Pence at the inauguration, the answer is a very clear yes. He was there. But the context matters more than the RSVP.
Honestly, that day felt surreal. Washington D.C. was basically a fortress. Thousands of National Guard troops lined the streets, and the usual cheering crowds were replaced by a "Field of Flags" on the National Mall. In the middle of this high-tension handoff, Mike Pence stood on the inaugural platform. He was the highest-ranking representative of the outgoing administration.
It was a sharp contrast to his boss.
Why the attendance was a big deal
Traditionally, the outgoing President and Vice President attend the swearing-in of their successors. It's a symbol of the peaceful transfer of power. But Donald Trump famously skipped it. He flew to Florida on Air Force One earlier that morning, making him the first president to skip his successor’s inauguration since Andrew Johnson in 1869.
Because Trump left, Pence became the face of the transition.
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He didn't just show up to be a warm body in a chair. By attending, Mike Pence was signaling a respect for the constitutional process that had been under literal fire just two weeks prior. Remember, this was only fourteen days after the January 6 Capitol riot. The same building where he sat for the inauguration had been breached by people calling for his head.
The awkwardness was palpable
Pence and his wife, Karen, were seated near the front. You’ve probably seen the photos of them chatting with Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff.
It looked civil. Maybe even friendly?
But behind the scenes, the relationship between Trump and Pence was basically non-existent at that point. Reports from that week suggested they hadn't spoken much since the riot. By choosing to attend Joe Biden's inauguration, Pence was essentially drawing a line in the sand. He chose the "institution" over the "individual."
Fast forward to 2025
Interestingly, the question of Pence's attendance came up again recently during the second inauguration of Donald Trump on January 20, 2025.
Politics makes for strange bedfellows, but even stranger reunions. Mike Pence did attend the 2025 ceremony where JD Vance was sworn in as Vice President. However, things were different this time. For starters, Karen Pence was notably absent from the 2025 event. Mike showed up solo.
He was even caught on camera shaking hands with Donald and Melania Trump a few days prior at Jimmy Carter’s funeral, which was the first time they’d really interacted in years. At the 2025 inauguration itself, Pence wasn't exactly greeted with open arms by the crowd. There were audible boos when he was announced.
What this means for the history books
If you are tracking the timeline, Pence has now attended two consecutive inaugurations where his presence was a major talking point.
- 2021: He attended to provide a sense of continuity because Trump refused to go.
- 2025: He attended as a former Vice President, following tradition, despite being politically alienated from the MAGA movement.
History will likely view his 2021 attendance as his most significant act of his vice presidency, second only to his refusal to block the certification of the election results on January 6. It wasn't just about showing up; it was about ensuring the world saw that the American government was still functioning.
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Key takeaways and what to look for next
If you're following the career of Mike Pence or just trying to keep the facts straight on presidential transitions, keep these points in mind:
- Pence's 2021 attendance was the only high-level representation of the Trump-Pence administration at Biden's swearing-in.
- The Profile in Courage Award was actually given to Pence in May 2025, largely citing his actions during the transition period.
- The 2025 inauguration showed that while Pence is committed to the "office," he remains a polarizing figure within his own party.
To get a better sense of how these moments shaped the current political landscape, you might want to look at the official archives of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC). They keep the most detailed records of attendance and protocol for these events. Checking out C-SPAN’s archived footage of the 2021 processional is also a great way to see the literal "body language" of the transition—it tells a much deeper story than a news snippet ever could.