Democrats Boycott Trump’s State of the Union, Hold Rival Rally
Twelve Democrats will skip the Feb. 24 State of the Union and hold a 'People's State of the Union' rally on the National Mall, organizers said.
Overview
Organizers MoveOn and MeidasTouch said 12 Democratic lawmakers will skip President Trump’s Feb. 24 State of the Union and instead hold a “People’s State of the Union” rally on the National Mall.
The Feb. 24 speech will be the first State of the Union of his second term and comes amid a standoff over immigration enforcement that prompted an indefinite Department of Homeland Security shutdown, according to reports.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries told reporters he intends to attend the address while advising lawmakers to either attend in “silent defiance” or skip, according to sources.
MoveOn listed five senators—Ed Markey, Jeff Merkley, Chris Murphy, Tina Smith and Chris Van Hollen—and seven House members including Yassamin Ansari, Pramila Jayapal and Veronica Escobar among the lawmakers planning to attend the rally.
The White House said the State of the Union will proceed as scheduled and organizers said additional rally participants would be announced before the event.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the story as a meaningful rupture in norms by emphasizing a broad Democratic boycott, using editorial language like 'fading bipartisanship' and 'departure,' prioritizing Democratic quotes that condemn the president, and omitting Republican defenses beyond a brief White House note, presenting the protest as a normative response.
Sources (4)
FAQ
Democrats are boycotting the February 24 State of the Union to protest what they view as harmful policies during Trump's first year of his second term. Senator Ed Markey stated that he will not legitimize what he calls 'spin and fiction,' citing concerns about slashed healthcare, immigration enforcement actions, and tax cuts for wealthy individuals. MoveOn Civic Action organized the alternative 'People's State of the Union' rally to highlight what they describe as the negative consequences of Trump's administration on ordinary Americans.
At least 12 House and Senate Democrats are planning to skip the State of the Union address. This includes five senators—Ed Markey, Jeff Merkley, Chris Murphy, Tina Smith, and Chris Van Hollen—and seven House members including Yassamin Ansari, Pramila Jayapal, and Veronica Escobar.
The 'People's State of the Union' is an alternative rally organized by MoveOn Civic Action that will be held on the National Mall at 8:30 p.m. on February 24, beginning just 30 minutes before Trump's address. The rally aims to provide a platform for people to speak directly about the consequences they face from Trump's policies, offering a counterpoint to the official State of the Union address.
Yes, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries announced he will attend the State of the Union address. He explained his decision by stating, 'We're not going to his house. He's coming to our house, and it's the people's house,' indicating he believes Democratic presence is important to maintain their position in the legislative chamber.
Yes, the State of the Union is scheduled to proceed as planned on February 24, despite a Department of Homeland Security shutdown caused by a standoff over immigration enforcement between the White House and Senate Democrats. The shutdown was expected to extend at least until the week of the speech, but the White House confirmed the address will go forward.
History
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