Just to clarify, asking a shaila is never the wrong thing. I’m not “faulting” them for it, just saddened. I would have been (and I believe even Avi K and most of us here) happier if they didn’t and stayed home, without even questioning if going to a party overrides the sanctity of Shabbos.
Some frum politicians with invitations to the Inauguration opted out because of Shabbos, and it could have been done within the parameters of Halacha, but it was simpler not to go than stay over for Shabbos or risk tight scheduling. We all have priorities and I wish Shabbos observance in the fullest sense was a priority for them.
That’s why I mentioned kudos to them for hosting a Shabbos seudah Friday night. I got zero response here, either because it was overlooked, or because many of us would prefer they be regular, consistent Shabbos observers without all the glitz being necessary. I don’t know, perhaps you guys can enlighten me.