Dozens of Democrats plan to boycott Trump’s State of Union to attend counterprogramming events

WASHINGTON, DC: A number of Democratic politicians have reportedly decided not to attend President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address and have instead planned to go to two major counter-rallies.

In a press release, Representative Sean Casten (D-IL) said, “My respect for the office of the President of the United States cannot abide the disrespect that Donald Trump shows to that office every day.”

“As such, while I will watch the State of the Union elsewhere, I will not attend in person, as I am not interested in being used as a prop for his theatrics,” he added.

John Fetterman asks fellow Democrats to 'respect the office'

The opposing leaders are also facing pressure to behave as the president prepares to deliver his first State of the Union address of his second term on Tuesday, February 24.

The said pressure is reportedly the outcome of memories from the heavily criticized incident from 2025 when Democratic Representative Al Green of Texas repeatedly shouted at Trump during his speech to the joint session of Congress. He also waved his cane before being escorted out by the House sergeant-at-arms.

Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) sent a message to Democrats via Fox News on Monday, saying, “I hope all the other Democrats…don’t do the same kinds of things that happened last year, it was really undignified.”

He also noted, “You should really respect the office. You don’t have to like the occupant,” before adding, “We should be better than that.”

Democrats to bring their own guests to Trump’s State of Union

It has been said that many Democratic bigwigs, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), will be attending the commander-in-chief’s address.

Jeffries had told reporters last week that he was “not going to Donald Trump’s house. He’s [Trump] coming to our house. It’s my view that you don’t let anyone ever run you off of your block.”

Democrats have also planned to bring their own guests to the speech to oppose Trump.

Schumer will be bringing Raiza Contreras — “a mother from the Bronx whose son was the first NYC public school student detained in Trump’s ICE mass-detention and deportation campaign.”

Aliya Rahman, who was forcefully detained by immigration agents in Minneapolis, will reportedly accompany Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN).

On the other hand, Republicans are bringing guests to complement Trump’s agenda. For example, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has invited the daughter of a Uyghur doctor detained in China as well as Hanan Lischinsky, the brother of murdered Israeli Embassy staffer Yaron Lischinsky, to the speech.

Rebuttals and counterprogramming events scheduled against Trump's State of Union

Apart from this, many Democrats have planned several rebuttals, with Senator Alex Padilla (CA) conveying the party’s official Spanish rebuttal and Representative Summer Lee (PA) presenting the progressive response.

Besides, two counterprogramming events — the “State of the Swamp” in the DC National Press Club and the “People’s State of the Union” in the National Mall — have also been scheduled.

“People’s State of the Union” will reportedly be attended by Representatives Yassamin Ansari (AZ), Becca Balint (VT), Greg Casar (TX), Veronica Escobar (TX), Pramila Jayapal (WA), Delia Ramirez (IL), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ)

Senators Ed Markey (MA), Jeff Merkley (OR), Chris Murphy (CT), Tina Smith (MN), and Chris Van Hollen (MD) are going to address the event.

The “State of the Swamp” will see Senator Ron Wyden (OR), as well as Representatives Jason Crow (CO), Seth Moulton (MA), Dan Goldman (NY), Eric Swalwell (CA), and Eugene Vindman (VA).