Some Democrats Plan to Boycott Trump's State of the Union

Updated: February 4, 2020 10:14 PM [ET] | Originally published: February 4, 2020 5:23 PM EST;

At least seven Democratic members of Congress, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, reportedly plan to boycott President Donald Trump’s State of the Union Address on Tuesday evening.

It’s not the first time a public ceremony involving Trump has led to boycotts from Democrats. At least 11 Democratic lawmakers boycotted Trump’s first State of the Union address in 2018 and around 60 legislators boycotted his inauguration.

Ocasio-Cortez said she will not attend the State of the Union so her presence at the ceremony will not “normalize Trump’s lawless conduct.”

“This is a deeply personal decision for each member to make, and a choice I did not take lightly,” she said on Twitter.

This is a deeply personal decision for each member to make, and a choice I did not take lightly.

I will be hopping on Instagram Live later this evening to connect with my constituents and follow up with their questions about #SOTU.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) February 4, 2020

Massachusetts Rep. Ayanna Pressley also said she will boycott tonight’s event, calling it a “sham.”

The State of the Union is hurting because of the occupant of the White House, who consistently demonstrates contempt for the American people, contempt for Congress & contempt for our constitution. I cannot in good conscience attend tonight's sham #SOTU → https://t.co/DTwG3Y7dK3 pic.twitter.com/Hres8eAFkK
— Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (@RepPressley) February 4, 2020

California Rep. Maxine Waters said she would not be at the ceremony “to hear the message of an IMPEACHED president.” Waters has previously boycotted Trump’s State of the Union and did not attend his inauguration.

To think that I would attend the #SOTU to hear the message of an IMPEACHED president is a thought that in no way would be consistent w/ my fight and struggle against this dishonorable president. I will certainly NOT be there!
— Maxine Waters (@RepMaxineWaters) February 4, 2020

Texas Rep. Al Green also said he would not attend and said the state of the House, Senate and Union are divided because of an “unapologetically bigoted president.”

Because of an impeached, reckless, ruthless, lawless, shameless, corrupt, & unapologetically bigoted president - who is still engaging in a coverup, the state of the House, the state of the Senate, and the #StateOfTheUnion are divided.

I will NOT attend #SOTU2020.
— Congressman Al Green (@RepAlGreen) February 4, 2020

Tennessee Rep. Steve Cohen said he will not attend because he does not believe Trump is “worthy of the dignity and respect accorded to his predecessors.”

I will not attend the #SOTU tomorrow. While I will always respect the office of the President, Trump demonstrates daily that he does not. I don’t believe he is worthy of the dignity and respect accorded to his predecessors. #SOTU2020 #BoycottSOTU https://t.co/QMz796wBxh
— Steve Cohen (@RepCohen) February 3, 2020

I’m glad that my colleagues @RepBlumenauer, @RepAlGreen & @RepWilson are continuing to stand against this #ImpeachedForever President. We will not be witnesses to more #TrumpLies. #SOTUBoycott #SOTU #SOTU2020 https://t.co/cOHkZ6qXdK
— Steve Cohen (@RepCohen) February 4, 2020

Florida Rep. Frederica Wilson and Oregon Rep. Earl Blumenauer are also reportedly boycotting the event, according to The Hill. Both reps. have previously boycotted Trump’s State of the Union.

During the State of the Union, Congressmen Tim Ryan of Ohio and Bill Pascrell of New Jersey said they walked out of the address:

I just walked out of the #StateOfTheUnion. I’ve had enough. It’s like watching professional wrestling. It’s all fake.
— Archive: Congressman Tim Ryan (@RepTimRyan) February 5, 2020

I just walked out of the #StateOfTheUnion. I can’t stand a liar. This man’s presidency is a national tragedy.
— Bill Pascrell, Jr. 🇺🇸🇺🇦 (@BillPascrell) February 5, 2020

Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar is taking a different approach to signal her “resistance” to the President. “I am attending on behalf of all of those targeted by this president to say, ‘We are greater than hate,'” Omar said.

I am attending tonight’s address not to confer any legitimacy on his actions, his statements, or his presidency.

I am attending on behalf of all of those targeted by this President to say, ‘We are greater than hate.’

My presence tonight is resistance.
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) February 4, 2020

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Other Democrats Plan to Boycott President Trump’s State of the Union Address

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