Several Democratic members of Congress have announced plans to boycott President Donald Trump’s first joint address to Congress during his second term, scheduled for Tuesday. Among them is Senator Chris Murphy from Connecticut, who has opted to hold a live commentary rather than attend the event.
Senator Murphy has expressed his belief that Trump’s speech will be more of a rally for his supporters than a serious address to the nation. He criticized Trump, suggesting the president would misrepresent his actions regarding Russia and other issues, specifically mentioning concerns about government contracts benefiting billionaires like Elon Musk.
Joining Murphy in the boycott is Senator Brian Schatz from Hawaii, who will also participate in the live commentary during Trump’s address. Additionally, Representative Don Beyer from Virginia has confirmed he will not attend the speech, noting that witnessing applause for policies he disagrees with would not be productive.
Ahead of the address, House Democrats were encouraged by their leadership to invite guests who have faced negative impacts from the Trump administration’s policies. Members are expected to bring individuals who have experienced layoffs or losses because of recent government actions.
Senator Elissa Slotkin from Michigan is set to deliver the Democratic response following Trump’s speech, emphasizing the need for transparency on issues affecting Americans, such as the economy and national security.
This boycott trend is not new; in Trump’s previous State of the Union address in 2020, a number of Democrats also chose not to attend, including prominent progressive figures.
As the country gears up for this significant political event, it is clear that the divide between parties remains deep, with Democrats openly indicating their dissent from the president’s agenda.
