Democrats Stage Bold Defiance Ahead of Trump’s State of the Union Address
Democratic lawmakers are plotting a range of moves to broadcast their defiance of President Donald Trump during his State of the Union address to Congress next week.
Still stinging from last year’s widely mocked protests, Democrats are weighing boycotts, walkouts, and competing rallies as Trump prepares to deliver his first State of the Union of his second term on Tuesday night.
The speech is shaping up as a political flashpoint amid a Department of Homeland Security shutdown, with the White House and Democrats deadlocked over proposed reforms to Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Some Democrats plan to skip the event altogether, while others say they may leave in protest mid-speech.
“The only question for me is which of his disgusting lines prompts me to get up and leave, because at some point I will,” Rep. Jared Huffman, D-Calif., said.
Rep. Shri Thanedar, D-Mich., stated he is “thinking” about some form of protest, blasting Trump for what he called “massive corruption” and “despicable acts at Epstein’s island.”
Other Democrats are taking a more calculated approach by bringing guests meant to highlight policy grievances.
Rep. Gwen Moore, D-Wis., said she will bring a constituent who runs a nonprofit day care and advocates for Obamacare, emphasizing the goal of spotlighting “affordable childcare and health care for all.”
Democratic lawmakers have been working to avoid repeating last year’s disruptions when Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, was ejected after waving a cane and shouting during Trump’s address. Green was later censured by the House.
Last year, Democrats faced ridicule for waving paddles with slogans such as “Save Medicaid” and “False,” which party leaders believed distracted from their message.
This year, a significant number of Democrats plan to boycott the speech and attend an alternative rally on the National Mall dubbed the “People’s State of the Union,” coordinated by MoveOn and the progressive media outlet MeidasTouch.
The event is expected to feature Democrat lawmakers and leftist commentators Joy Reid and Katie Phang.
Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., stated Trump “doesn’t deserve an audience,” claiming he will deliver “40 different lies” and use the speech to “paper over his corruption.”
However, even some Democrats warn that the theatrics could backfire.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., reportedly urged members in a closed-door meeting to either attend in “silent defiance” or skip the speech.
One centrist Democrat previously told that last year’s disruptions were “completely counterproductive” and “made us look like children.”
