Democratic Lawmakers Plan Counter-Events During Trump's State of the Union Address
Democrats Opt for Alternative Events
Over twenty Democratic representatives have decided to forgo attending President Donald Trump's State of the Union address on Tuesday evening, opting instead to participate in alternative events. These counter-events include the 'People's State of the Union,' organized by the progressive media outlet MeidasTouch and the advocacy group MoveOn Civic Action. Scheduled for 8 p.m. Eastern on February 24 at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., the event is characterized by its organizers as a direct rebuttal to what they perceive as 'a night filled with falsehoods and misaligned priorities for the American populace.' A number of lawmakers are anticipated to speak at this gathering, which will be hosted by Joy Reid and Katie Phang.
Confirmed attendees include Senators Ed Markey, Jeff Merkley, and Chris Murphy, along with Representatives Yassamin Ansari, Veronica Escobar, and Pramila Jayapal. Senator Murphy expressed during a press conference that 'Donald Trump has trivialized the State of the Union address. Democrats are under no obligation to grant him an audience while he spreads lies and attacks dissenters.' He further stated that attending would lend 'an air of legitimacy to the corruption and lawlessness that has characterized Trump's second term.'
Senator Chris Van Hollen, who is also slated to attend, shared on X: 'Trump is steering America towards authoritarianism, and I refuse to normalize his assault on our Constitution and democracy. This cannot be business as usual.' Another counter-event, titled 'State of the Swamp,' will commence an hour earlier at the National Press Club in Washington, featuring Senators Ron Wyden, Representatives Eric Swalwell and Jason Crow, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and celebrities such as Robert De Niro, Mark Ruffalo, and Tom Arnold, along with media personalities Mehdi Hasan, Don Lemon, and Jim Acosta.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries has advised members to either attend the president's address 'in silent defiance' or participate in a counter-event, but not to completely abstain. 'We’re not going to Donald Trump’s house,' he stated last week. 'He’s coming to our house. I believe you should never let anyone push you off your own block.'
The White House has downplayed the absence of these lawmakers. Spokesperson Abigail Jackson remarked to Politico: 'It’s not surprising that they refuse to acknowledge and celebrate the Americans who have benefited from the sensible policies enacted by Republicans.'
A Comprehensive List of Attendees
The following Democratic lawmakers have confirmed they will not attend the State of the Union address:
- Rep. Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ)
- Rep. Becca Balint (D-VT)
- Rep. Ami Bera (D-CA)
- Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA)
- Rep. Shontel Brown (D-OH)
- Rep. Greg Casar (D-TX)
- Rep. Sean Casten (D-IL)
- Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN)
- Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ)
- Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO)
- Rep. Diane DeGette (D-CO)
- Rep. April McClain Delaney (D-MD)
- Rep. Maxine Dexter (D-OR)
- Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)
- Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-TX)
- Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-NM)
- Rep. Valerie Foushee (D-NC)
- Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ)
- Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA)
- Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY)
- Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM)
- Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT)
- Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA)
- Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA)
- Rep. John Larson (D-CT)
- Rep. Summer Lee (D-PA)
- Sen. Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM)
- Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA)
- Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA)
- Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-NJ)
- Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR)
- Rep. Kweisi Mfume (D-MD)
- Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA)
- Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT)
- Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA)
- Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY)
- Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL)
- Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-IL)
- Rep. Emily Randall (D-WA)
- Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA)
- Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA)
- Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA)
- Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN)
- Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-NM)
- Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA)
- Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD)
- Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR)
Protests during State of the Union addresses are not new. Last year, some Democrats displayed small paddles with messages like 'Save Medicaid,' 'Musk Steals,' and 'False.' The current boycotts and counter-events highlight significant divisions, with Democrats aiming to convey an alternative message while some Republicans and the White House interpret these absences as a refusal to acknowledge policy achievements.