Democrats Boycott Trump’s State of the Union for Counter Rally

Several Democratic lawmakers plan to skip President Donald Trump's State of the Union address on Tuesday night. They will hold a rival rally instead to draw attention to what they see as problems with his second term policies. This comes as a partial government shutdown drags on and other issues like immigration enforcement deaths and document releases make headlines.

Background

President Trump is set to speak to a joint session of Congress in Washington on Tuesday evening. The event happens against a tense backdrop. A partial government shutdown continues, with some senior Republicans on Capitol Hill and White House officials worried about how it looks. The address gives Republicans a chance to talk up their economic record before midterm elections. They want to move focus from recent bad news, such as fatal shootings by federal immigration agents in Minnesota and questions around the release of Epstein-related files.

Democrats have skipped big Trump events before. In his first term, dozens of House Democrats boycotted his inauguration. Of those, 31 stayed in Congress, but only seven showed up for his second one. This shows some past pushback has lessened. Now, in his second term, a fresh group of Democrats feels strongly enough to stay away again. They point to what they call corruption and lawlessness as reasons. The boycott fits a pattern of counter-events during Trump's key speeches.

The rival event is organized by the liberal group MoveOn, along with groups like the Democratic-aligned podcast network MeidasTouch. It will take place at the same time as Trump's speech. Planners say it offers a different view of the country's state.

Key Details

At least a dozen Democratic lawmakers have said they will not attend. They include figures like Senator Chris Murphy and Representative Rashida Tlaib. Tlaib walked out of Trump's address to Congress last year as a protest. She plans to continue that stand at the rally.

Rally Plans and Guests

The rally will feature Democratic leaders and regular people hit by Republican policies. Organizers expect federal workers who lost jobs in recent layoffs to speak. Tlaib said she will bring a guest targeted by the Trump administration's immigration crackdown. The event aims to give voice to those affected.

"These aren't normal times and showing up for this speech puts a veneer of legitimacy on the corruption and lawlessness that has defined his second term," Senator Chris Murphy said in a statement.

"Americans deserve an honest account of the state of our union," Representative Rashida Tlaib said.

Murphy's words capture the main reason for the boycott. He and others argue that attending would normalize what they view as serious issues. Tlaib stressed the need for truth about the nation's challenges.

The White House brushed off the boycott. Spokesperson Abigail Jackson said Democrats often block administration goals.

"It's not a surprise that they refuse to celebrate and honor the Americans who have benefited from the commonsense policies Republicans have governed with," Jackson said.

She pointed to policy wins for some Americans as a contrast to Democratic complaints.

Lawmakers involved come from both the House and Senate. Names mentioned include those who have protested Trump before. The exact number could grow as more decide. Organizers promote the rally as a way to reach voters directly, bypassing the official speech.

What This Means

The boycott highlights deep divides in Washington. Democrats use it to rally their base ahead of midterms. By skipping the speech, they avoid sharing the spotlight with Trump. The rival event lets them set their own message on jobs, immigration, and government operations.

For Republicans, the empty seats might underline their control but also show opposition strength. Trump's team sees the address as key to economic talking points. They hope to counter shutdown fallout and recent scandals. Fewer Democrats present could make the chamber look more unified behind the president.

Voters watching may see two versions of the state of the union. One from the Capitol podium, the other from the rally stage. This split could shape how people view the administration's record. It also tests if boycotts still grab attention after years of similar actions.

The shutdown adds pressure. Federal workers and services feel the pinch. Democrats link it to broader policy fights. Republicans blame Democratic resistance. Tuesday's events will play out as these talks stall.

Midterm campaigns already heat up. Both sides use the speech timing to push narratives. Democrats aim to fire up turnout with stories from affected people. Republicans want to claim credit for growth and security measures.

Past boycotts had mixed impact. Some faded from view, but others kept issues alive in media. This one, with a live counter-event, might get more play. It signals Democrats won't sit quietly during Trump's platform moments.

Lawmakers who attend still face party pressure. But leaders frame the boycott as principled. The rally setup, with personal stories, seeks to connect emotionally with viewers. Trump's speech will cover economy, borders, and more. Democrats counter with human costs they attribute to those priorities.

As Tuesday nears, more details emerge on speakers and locations. The boycott list grows. Washington watches how this plays in a city already split.