So far about 20 Democrats are refusing to sit through Donald Trump’s State of the Union address Tuesday, opting instead to attend protest events and deliver their own counter-programming.
That number is expected to grow by Tuesday.
The boycott comes as the president was just handed a brutal report card prior to his big speech.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said that members of his caucus could either attend the high-profile address with “silent defiance” or take part in other programming “that is going to take place in and around the Capitol complex.”
I’m sorry but WHAT is silent defiance?
“We’re not going to Donald Trump’s house,” he said. “He’s coming to our house. It’s my view that you don’t let anyone ever run you off of your block.”
“We’re not just a sycophant forum,” Rep. Chellie Pingree said, explaining why she’s skipping the speech to attend “The People’s State of the Union” on the National Mall instead.
The lawmakers boycotting include both senators and House members who will gather at events hosted by MoveOn, MeidasTouch, and Defiance.org while Trump speaks to the chamber. Sens. Adam Schiff, Ed Markey, Jeff Merkley, Chris Murphy, Tina Smith, and Chris Van Hollen are among those heading to the Mall, along with progressive Reps. Pramila Jayapal, Greg Casar, and Veronica Escobar.
Rep. John Larson, who’s been in Congress for nearly three decades, said this is the first time he’s considered skipping. He walked out of Trump’s joint address last year when the president started telling “outright lies” about Social Security fraud.
“We’ll be criticized for it. I get that,” Larson said. “But I’m willing to take the heat for being willing to tell the truth.”
Last year’s joint address devolved into chaos when Rep. Al Green of Texas yelled at Trump, waved his cane in the air, got ejected, and was later censured. Democrats also held up signs and heckled throughout. Rep. Sarah McBride said that spectacle “made us the story” and she hopes it doesn’t repeat.
But McBride, who says she “currently” plans to attend, added: “I hesitate to allow Donald Trump to speak to a room of exclusively sycophants.”
Rep. Yassamin Ansari isn’t going because she refuses “to legitimize” Trump’s “corrupt, authoritarian regime.” She’ll be with a guest whose loved one has leukemia inside an ICE detention facility in Arizona.
Sen. Ruben Gallego is staying in Arizona entirely. Sen. Patty Murray will skip the speech to deliver her own livestreamed address to Washington state, featuring guests affected by Trump administration policies.
Rep. Ro Khanna will be there—alongside a Jeffrey Epstein victim who voted for Trump.