Michelle Obama's Decision to Skip Trump's Inauguration Explained: Report

Following Michelle Obama's announcement that she would not attend Donald Trump's inauguration, an insider close to the former First Lady revealed that she did not want to "fake a smile" for someone she continues to view as a "threat to American democracy."
"There's no overstating her feelings about [Trump]. She’s not one to plaster on a pleasant face and pretend for protocol's sake," a source shared with PEOPLE magazine. "Michelle doesn’t do anything because it’s expected or it’s protocol or it’s tradition."
The source noted that Trump's past criticisms of the Obama family and his controversial remarks about racial issues have influenced Michelle Obama's perspective. Attending his second inauguration would likely require her to hide her true emotions from the public.
"She served in the public eye and did all the public good that she could for eight years as first lady," the source commented on her commitment during her tenure. "You’ll see her when she has a project or cause to promote, but she doesn’t feel the need to be a public figure anymore."
Her husband, former President Barack Obama, will attend the inauguration but will not participate in events afterward.
Michelle Obama, who grew up in a privileged background and later attended Harvard Law School, initially gained widespread attention during Barack's 2008 presidential campaign. In February of that year, she remarked, "For the first time in my adult life, I am really proud of my country because it feels like hope is making a comeback."
She has also famously stated, "When someone is cruel or acts like a bully, you don’t stoop to their level. No, our motto is 'When they go low, we go high,'" while simultaneously maintaining that Trump is a "threat to democracy." However, she has not addressed concerns regarding President Joe Biden's administration using federal power to target political opponents, such as Trump.
In contrast, Trump has pledged to uphold the nation's laws, particularly concerning immigration and border control. Tom Homan, who will serve as Trump's border czar, has vowed to initiate mass deportations immediately after the inauguration.
During an interview with Fox News anchor Jesse Watters, Homan stated that ICE would "finally" have the authority to remove millions of undocumented immigrants.
A recent Wall Street Journal report suggested that around 200 officers will arrive in Chicago on Tuesday for a significant deportation operation, occurring just a day after the inauguration. Additionally, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials will be active nationwide.
Watters inquired about speculation regarding "a big raid all across the country."
Homan confirmed that large-scale enforcement actions would begin right away, with ICE being directed to enforce immigration law "without apology."
"ICE is finally going to go out and do their job," he said. "We’re going to take the handcuffs off ICE and let them go arrest criminal aliens."
When Watters asked, "Am I blowing your cover when I announce that there's going to be a big raid in Chicago on Tuesday? Or do you want people to know maybe they can self-deport?"
Homan responded, "There’s going to be a big raid all across the country. Chicago is just one of many places. We got 24 field offices across the country. On Tuesday, you're going expect ICE — ICE is finally going to go out and do their job. We’re going to take the handcuffs off ICE and let them go arrest criminal aliens. That’s what’s going to happen."