Democratic Lawmakers Plan Boycott of Trump’s Address to Congress Amid Growing Party Divisions
President Trump in the Oval Office. (Credit…Doug Mills/The New York Times)
A Democratic revolt is taking shape ahead of President Donald Trump’s address to Congress on Tuesday, as several senators announced plans to boycott the event. The move signals growing tensions within Capitol Hill over Trump’s policies and leadership in his second term.
According to a report in Axios, the internal debate among congressional Democrats centers on how to respond to Trump’s major address. The split has become increasingly apparent as more lawmakers announce their intentions to skip the speech.
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Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) confirmed Monday that she will not attend Tuesday’s joint address. “The state of the union is that the President is spitting in the face of the law,” Murray posted on X. “He is letting an unelected billionaire fire cancer researchers and wreck federal agencies like the Social Security Administration at will.”
Other prominent Democrats, including Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR), Chris Murphy (D-CT), and Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA), have also declared their intent to skip the event. They are part of a growing faction of lawmakers opting to boycott the speech, despite calls from party leadership to maintain a strong presence.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) has urged Democrats to attend, emphasizing the importance of their role in representing the American people. “The decision to attend the Joint Session is a personal one and we understand that members will come to different conclusions,” Jeffries wrote in a letter to House Democrats.
“However, it is important to have a strong, determined, and dignified Democratic presence in the chamber. The House as an institution belongs to the American people, and as their representatives, we will not be run off the block or bullied.”
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Despite the boycott, Democratic leaders have encouraged lawmakers to bring guests impacted by Trump’s federal spending freeze and other controversial policies to highlight their opposition. Meanwhile, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has urged Democrats to respect Trump’s address, warning that any disruptive actions could deepen the political divide.
As the speech approaches, the Democratic rift underscores the broader political battle over Trump’s presidency and its impact on key policy issues. With boycotts mounting and tensions high, all eyes will be on Tuesday’s address to gauge the political fallout.
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