Democrats prepare to protest Trump State of the Union: What to know
by Sudiksha Kochi - 02/24/26 6:00 AM ET
Democrats are preparing a show of defiance during President Trump’s State of the Union address on Tuesday, with some skipping the speech entirely, others attending counter-events and many bringing guests to highlight the real-world impact of the administration’s policies.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) has strictly advised his caucus to either attend the address in “silent defiance” or take part in alternative programming.
Even so, Democrats are expected to sharply criticize the administration at events before, during and after the address. And it’s unclear whether any rank-and-file members plan to defy Jeffries’ directive.
Here’s what to know about Democratic protests during Trump’s State of the Union.
Democrats target Trump with counter event blitzSeveral Democrats are opting to skip Trump’s speech and instead head to a counterrally, dubbed the “People’s State of the Union,” which will begin around 8 p.m. on the National Mall. The event is hosted by liberal activist groups, including MoveOn Civic Action, and will feature “everyday Americans most impacted by Trump’s dangerous agenda.”
Some of the Democratic attendees include Sens. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), as well as Reps. Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.), Becca Balint (D-Vt.), Greg Casar (D-Texas), Veronica Escobar (D-Texas), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.), John Larson (D-Conn.) and April Delaney (D-Md.).
Other Democrats will be attending a different counter event called the “State of the Swamp” at the National Press Club that will start shortly before Trump’s speech. Some lawmakers are considering attending the event for a brief period and then attending the State of the Union afterwards.
Reps. Jason Crow (D-Colo.) and Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), for instance, will be attending the State of the Swamp event and the State of the Union, according to their offices.
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) will only be attending the State of the Swamp event and skipping Trump’s address, according to his office.
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https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5751650-democrats-protest-trump-state-of-the-union/