Latest Breaking News

Huffpost

Democrats To Boycott Trump’s State Of the Union, Attend Rally Instead

At least a dozen Democratic lawmakers will boycott President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address next week and instead take part in a rally focused on countering the president’s night of “lies and misplaced priorities.”

Sens. Tina Smith (Minn.) and Chris Van Hollen (Md.), and Rep. Pramila Jayapal (Wash.), are among the lawmakers who will speak at the “People’s State of the Union,” an event hosted by progressive groups including MoveOn Civic Action and MeidasTouch. It will kick off at 8:30 p.m. EST on Feb. 24, just before Trump begins his national address.

Former MSNBC hosts Katie Phang and Joy Reid will interview lawmakers and everyday people who have been hurt by Trump’s policies. They are setting up a stage on the National Mall, just blocks from where the president will speak.

"I will not normalize Donald Trump's march toward fascism by attending his state of the union address,” Van Hollen said in a statement. “Trump’s second term has been defined by utter lawlessness and contempt for our Constitution – from his out-of-control ICE operation terrorizing our communities, to relentless attacks on our federal workforce and the essential services they provide, to a full-out assault on the individual constitutional rights we hold dear.”

“We cannot pretend this is business as usual,” he added. “I look forward to joining real patriots who are standing up and speaking out against Trump’s lawless agenda – as we fight to protect our democracy and the country we love.”