Jake Tapper and Dana Bash Debate Whether the Clintons Were ‘Celebrating’ American Democracy or There Out of ‘Obligation’

CNN anchors Dana Bash and Jake Tapper debated whether former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton attended President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration out of a sense of “obligation” or was in Washington to celebrate tradition on Monday.

Trump’s second inauguration was attended by former presidents, House speakers, tech billionaires, and other major political and cultural figures.

When Bill and Hillary Clinton entered the Capitol Rotunda before Trump took the oath of office, Tapper noted their presence during CNN’s coverage of the day’s events, leading to a debate between him and Bash:

TAPPER: There is Bill Clinton, former president of the United States and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who obviously ran for president in 2016 and lost to Donald Trump. Once again, another sign, a symbol, important moment celebrating American democracy. Celebrating the peaceful transfer of power. The fact that the former first lady and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is here to attend his inaugural. She was at his first inaugural as well.

BASH: I would add you’re using celebration in a very generic sense.

TAPPER: There is a George W Bush and former first lady Laura Bush. They’re here as well. Again, a celebration of American democracy, an honoring –

BASH: Obligation, also. I mean, not maybe not for them, but I think for Hillary Clinton.

TAPPER: But I’m not talking about a celebration of any man. I’m talking about a celebration of of the idea of America and the democracy.

Bash and Tapper ended their discussion as they continued to comment on familiar faces who visited Washington to attend Trump’s inauguration.

Watch above via CNN.