Democrats Boycott Trump’s State of the Union — and Hold Their Own Rally
1. What’s Happening and When
President Donald Trump delivers his first State of the Union address of his second term on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. He speaks at 9 p.m. ET in the House chamber. At the same time, at least a dozen Democratic members of Congress will be outside on the National Mall — at their own event.
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| Key Detail | Information |
| State of the Union Date | Tuesday, February 24, 2026 |
| SOTU Start Time | 9:00 p.m. ET |
| Counter-Rally Name | “People’s State of the Union” |
| Rally Location | National Mall, near the U.S. Capitol |
| Rally Start Time | 8:30 p.m. ET (30 min before Trump’s speech) |
| Rally Organizers | MoveOn Civic Action and MeidasTouch |
| Rally Hosts | Joy Reid and Katie Phang |
| Number of Boycotting Members | At least 12 (could grow before Feb. 24) |
| House Minority Leader’s Advice | “Silent defiance” or skip — no disruptions |
2. The Full List: Which Democrats Are Boycotting?
As of February 18, 2026, here are the Democratic lawmakers confirmed to skip Trump’s speech and attend the People’s State of the Union rally on the National Mall:
Senate Democrats Boycotting
- Ed Markey (Massachusetts)
- Jeff Merkley (Oregon)
- Chris Murphy (Connecticut) — also boycotted Trump’s 2025 address to Congress
- Tina Smith (Minnesota)
- Chris Van Hollen (Maryland)
House Democrats Boycotting
- Yassamin Ansari (Arizona) — walked out of Trump’s 2025 address
- Becca Balint (Vermont)
- Greg Casar (Texas)
- Veronica Escobar (Texas)
- Pramila Jayapal (Washington)
- Delia Ramirez (Illinois)
- Bonnie Watson Coleman (New Jersey)
- John Larson (Connecticut)
Attending the ‘State of the Swamp’ — A Second Counter-Event
Separately, Reps. Jason Crow (Colorado) and Eugene Vindman (Virginia) are participating in a different counter-event called ‘State of the Swamp,’ hosted at the National Press Club at 7 p.m. Crow and Vindman plan to also attend the actual State of the Union, so they are not full boycotters — but they are making their opposition visible.
The number of boycotters could grow before February 24. The original list was first reported by The New York Times and has been updated by NBC News, The Hill, TIME, Reuters, and Newsweek throughout February 18–19.
3. The ‘People’s State of the Union’ Rally: What to Expect
The counter-rally isn’t a quiet protest. It’s a full event — with lawmakers on stage, progressive commentators hosting, and ordinary Americans who organizers say have been directly affected by Trump administration policies.
What’s Planned
- Location: National Mall, near the Capitol — visible and deliberately close to where Trump will be speaking
- Start time: 8:30 p.m. ET — 30 minutes before Trump’s speech begins at 9 p.m.
- Hosts: Joy Reid (former MSNBC anchor) and Katie Phang (legal analyst)
- Speakers: At least 12 Democratic lawmakers confirmed, plus ‘everyday Americans most impacted by Trump’s agenda,’ per organizers
- Tone: Organizers bill it as an alternative to ‘a night full of lies and misplaced priorities’
Who’s Behind the Event
Two organizations are co-hosting the People’s State of the Union. MoveOn Civic Action is one of the oldest and largest progressive advocacy groups in the United States — it has run major voter mobilization campaigns since 1998. MeidasTouch is a newer progressive media company that produces digital content and has built a large online following since its launch in 2020.
Coalition partners are also involved, though the full partner list had not been publicly released as of February 18.
Visual Suggestion: A map showing the National Mall location relative to the Capitol would help readers understand just how close the two events are — separated by only a few city blocks.
4. Why Are Democrats Boycotting Trump’s State of the Union?
The short answer: they say attending would legitimize a president they believe is acting unlawfully. But the full reasoning is more layered than that.
What the Boycotting Members Are Saying
Sen. Chris Murphy (CT): “Democrats have no obligation to reward him with an audience as he lies and attacks people who disagree with him. Trump has made a mockery of the State of the Union address, taking a moment that is meant to bring the country together and turning it into a campaign rally to spew hatred and division.”
Sen. Chris Van Hollen (MD): “I will not normalize Donald Trump’s march toward fascism by attending his State of the Union address. We cannot pretend this is business as usual.”
Sen. Ed Markey (MA): “The State of the Union should be a reckoning with reality, but Donald Trump will use it to spin fiction and normalize the gross abuse of power. I will not legitimize those lies.”
Rep. Becca Balint (VT): “Instead of sitting through what has become President Trump’s annual self-congratulation, misinformation, and division speech, I look forward to a night of standing with colleagues, organizers, advocates, and everyday Americans.”
Rep. Ami Bera (CA): Writing in MeidasTouch, Bera said that despite feeling an “obligation” to attend as a senior House member, “After watching President Trump run roughshod over the Constitution, display utter disregard for Congress, and openly engage in corruption… I will not give him the dignity of having my presence at the State of the Union.”
The Common Thread: Legitimacy
Notice the pattern in each statement. Every boycotting Democrat frames their absence as a refusal to ‘legitimize’ or ‘normalize’ Trump’s presidency. The argument isn’t that State of the Union addresses don’t matter. It’s that showing up would send the wrong signal at a particular moment in history.
Murphy put it most directly: attending, he said, ‘puts a veneer of legitimacy on the corruption and lawlessness that defined [Trump’s] second term.’ Whether or not you agree with that framing, it reflects a deliberate strategic choice — not simply protest-for-protest’s-sake.
5. What Democrats Who Are Attending Will Do Instead
Not every Democrat is boycotting. Most will attend. But Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has told members they face a choice between two acceptable approaches — and neither one involves shouting or being removed.
Hakeem Jeffries’s Two-Option Strategy
Jeffries, speaking to reporters on Capitol Hill, said he’s advised his caucus to either attend with ‘silent defiance’ or skip the speech entirely and participate in different counter-events. What he’s clearly discouraging: the disruptive protests that drew backlash after Trump’s March 2025 joint address.
The Protest Signs Option
Some Democrats who plan to attend will bring guests — Americans personally affected by Trump’s policies — as their plus-ones. Others may wear or display messages. Rep. Mark Pocan (WI), for example, has invited the president of the Wisconsin Soybean Association to highlight concerns about how Trump’s tariffs have hurt American farmers through Chinese retaliation.
What’s Off the Table This Year
During Trump’s first joint address to Congress in March 2025, Texas Rep. Al Green was physically removed from the chamber after shouting at the president. Many Democrats walked out in protest. Some held signs. Several were later reprimanded by party leadership. Jeffries clearly wants none of that this year.
6. The White House Response
The White House wasn’t caught off guard. Spokesperson Abigail Jackson responded to multiple media outlets within hours of the boycott announcement.
White House Response (Abigail Jackson to Newsweek and TIME): “It’s not a surprise that they refuse to celebrate and honor the Americans who have benefited from the common-sense policies Republicans have governed with. Every Democrat in Congress tried to pass a $4 trillion dollar tax hike and voted against the working and middle class tax cuts the American people are seeing right now.”
The statement frames the boycott as confirmation that Democrats oppose Republican policy wins — a political framing rather than an engagement with the legitimacy arguments Democrats are making. It signals the White House intends to use the boycott as a political asset: proof, they’ll argue, that Democrats are out of step with American voters.
Some senior Capitol Hill Republicans and administration officials have, according to The Mirror US, privately expressed concern about the optics of a government shutdown coinciding with the State of the Union. An empty Democratic side of the chamber is not the backdrop they’d prefer.
7. A History of State of the Union Boycotts and Protests
Boycotting or protesting the State of the Union isn’t new. But the form it takes — and how much of it there is — has escalated significantly in recent years.
| Year / Event | What Happened | Who Did It |
| 2020 SOTU | Speaker Pelosi famously tore up Trump’s speech on the dais at its conclusion | House Speaker Nancy Pelosi |
| 2025 Joint Address | Rep. Al Green removed from chamber for shouting. Democrats displayed protest signs. Several walked out. | Numerous Democrats; Green removed by sergeant-at-arms |
| 2025 Joint Address | Some Democrats boycotted the address entirely, including Sen. Martin Heinrich, Rep. Maxine Waters, and Sen. Chris Murphy | At least a handful of members |
| 2026 SOTU (upcoming) | At least 12 lawmakers plan to skip speech and attend counter-rally on the National Mall | Progressive lawmakers; organized by MoveOn and MeidasTouch |
| Trump Inaugurations | Dozens of Democrats boycotted Trump’s 2017 inauguration; only 7 attended his 2025 inauguration | Multiple members both years |
The arc is clear. In 2017, boycotts were an individual choice. By 2025, they were a pattern with party leader tacit acceptance. In 2026, it’s an organized counter-event with progressive media backing. Each escalation reflects a deepening of partisan polarization — and a different theory about what opposition politics should look like.
8. What Is the State of the Union — and Why Does It Still Matter?
The State of the Union address is a constitutional requirement. Article II, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution says the president ‘shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient.’
The first State of the Union was delivered by President George Washington in 1790 — a 1,089-word written report. For most of the 19th century, presidents submitted written messages. Woodrow Wilson revived the in-person tradition in 1913. Today, the SOTU is a major televised address, watched by tens of millions of Americans.
What Trump Is Expected to Cover
Based on Reuters and U.S. News reporting, Trump is expected to use the speech to highlight:
- The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act 2.0 — sweeping tax legislation passed in 2025
- Economic growth figures from 2025
- Border security accomplishments, including deportation statistics
- Military modernization initiatives
Whether the speech will also touch on the ongoing partial government shutdown — which has TSA agents working without pay — remains to be seen.
9. The Broader Political Context: Shutdown, Tensions, and the Moment
The State of the Union is happening against a turbulent backdrop. As of mid-February 2026, the U.S. government is in a partial shutdown — a standoff between the White House and Democrats over immigration policy, partly fueled by the deaths of two U.S. citizens in Minnesota involving immigration enforcement agents.
TSA agents are working without pay. Federal employees are uncertain about their status. Court battles over immigration enforcement are playing out simultaneously — including the Haitian TPS fight we covered separately. In this environment, the decision of a dozen Democrats to not show up carries more symbolic weight than it might in calmer times.
Context Note: The government shutdown means Trump’s SOTU backdrop is already complicated. An organized boycott adds another layer. Senior Republicans are reportedly uneasy about the optics, per The Mirror US — a partial admission that optics still matter even in hyper-partisan times.
10. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When is Trump’s 2026 State of the Union address?
President Trump delivers his first State of the Union address of his second term on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at 9 p.m. ET in the House chamber of the U.S. Capitol.
Which Democrats are boycotting the 2026 State of the Union?
At least 12 lawmakers have confirmed their boycott. Senate boycotters include Ed Markey (MA), Jeff Merkley (OR), Chris Murphy (CT), Tina Smith (MN), and Chris Van Hollen (MD). House boycotters include Yassamin Ansari (AZ), Becca Balint (VT), Greg Casar (TX), Veronica Escobar (TX), Pramila Jayapal (WA), Delia Ramirez (IL), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ), and John Larson (CT). Additional members may join before February 24.
What is the ‘People’s State of the Union’?
The People’s State of the Union is a counter-rally organized by MoveOn Civic Action and MeidasTouch. It begins at 8:30 p.m. ET on February 24, 2026, on the National Mall near the Capitol. Progressive commentators Joy Reid and Katie Phang will host. Democratic lawmakers and everyday Americans affected by Trump’s policies will speak.
What did Hakeem Jeffries say about the boycott?
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries advised Democratic members to either attend the State of the Union in ‘silent defiance’ or skip it and attend counter-events. He did not endorse boycotting specifically, but he also did not discourage it. What he clearly wants to avoid is a repeat of the disruptive scenes from Trump’s 2025 joint address.
Have Democrats boycotted the State of the Union before?
Yes. Democrats boycotted Trump’s 2017 inauguration in large numbers. Several Democrats, including Sen. Chris Murphy and Rep. Maxine Waters, boycotted his 2025 joint address. And in 2020, Speaker Pelosi tore up Trump’s SOTU speech on camera. Coordinated boycotts of the size and organization seen in 2026 are rarer, but not unprecedented.
Is this the first time lawmakers organized a counter-rally during a State of the Union?
A counter-event of this scale — organized by major progressive groups, with confirmed congressional attendance, at the same time as the SOTU — is unusual. The People’s State of the Union framing and the National Mall location represent an escalation in the form of opposition beyond what’s been seen in recent State of the Union cycles.
What is the government shutdown about?
The partial government shutdown as of February 2026 stems from a standoff between the White House and Democrats over immigration policy. It has been fueled partly by the deaths of two U.S. citizens in Minnesota involving immigration enforcement agents. TSA workers and other federal employees are working without pay during the shutdown.
11. Key Takeaways
- At least 12 Democratic senators and representatives will boycott President Trump’s February 24, 2026 State of the Union address.
- They will attend the ‘People’s State of the Union,’ a counter-rally at 8:30 p.m. ET on the National Mall, organized by MoveOn and MeidasTouch.
- Joy Reid and Katie Phang will host. Democratic lawmakers will appear alongside Americans affected by Trump’s policies.
- The boycotters framed their absence as a refusal to ‘legitimize’ or ‘normalize’ what they call unlawful governance.
- Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries advised Democrats to attend with ‘silent defiance’ or skip — no disruptions.
- The White House called the boycott ‘not a surprise’ and used it to attack Democrats’ policy positions.
- This boycott is more organized and visible than past State of the Union protests, reflecting the deepening partisan divide of Trump’s second term.
- The speech occurs during a partial government shutdown, adding additional political weight to the moment.
What to Read and Follow Next
This story connects to several larger threads playing out simultaneously:
- What Is a State of the Union Address? A Complete Guide to the Constitutional Requirement
- The Complete List of Democratic Protests at State of the Union Addresses, 2017–2026
- Trump’s 2026 Legislative Agenda: What He’s Expected to Announce
- The Government Shutdown Explained: What’s Closed, Who’s Affected, and When It Might End
- MoveOn and MeidasTouch: Who Runs the Progressive Counter-Messaging Machine?
Sources
- NBC News: At least 12 Democratic lawmakers plan to boycott Trump’s State of the Union address (Feb. 18, 2026)
- Reuters: Some Democrats to Boycott Trump State of the Union for Rally (Feb. 18, 2026)
- TIME: How Democrats Plan to Protest Trump’s State of the Union (Feb. 18, 2026)
- The Hill: Here are the Democrats who plan to skip Trump’s State of the Union address (Feb. 18, 2026)
- Newsweek: List of Democrats Set To Boycott Trump’s State of the Union (Feb. 19, 2026)
| About This Article
This article was researched using reporting from NBC News, Reuters, TIME, The Hill, Newsweek, The Mirror US, and Slay News, all published February 18–19, 2026. All lawmaker quotes are drawn from official statements or verified media reporting. This article reflects information available as of February 19, 2026. The list of boycotting members may be updated before the February 24 address. This content is for informational purposes only. Last updated: February 19, 2026. |
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