Who isn’t attending the State of the Union, and what to expect from Democrat resistance
This is performative politics again.
President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address is expected to bring in a large crowd of lawmakers, Supreme Court justices, and guests from across the country to Capitol Hill.
But the Democratic side of the House chamber is going to look thinner than in previous addresses, with many members opting to engage in alternate programming rather than listening to Trump’s “self-congratulation.” Those attending are expected to sit in “silent defiance,” as encouraged by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY).
The Washington Examiner reached out to nearly every Democratic member of Congress on both the Senate and House sides to ask whether they plan to attend the State of the Union.
Who is not attending the State of the Union?
Nearly 50 Democrats responded in person, via statements, or via social media posts. Many said they do not plan to attend and will instead engage in alternate programming or stay at home with their families.
Among the Senate Democrats skipping the president’s address are Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), the No. 3 Senate Democrat. Others opting not to attend include Sens. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Tina Smith (D-MN), Ed Markey (D-MA), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR).
Gallego said in a video on X that he plans to spend the evening with his family.
“There’s a lot of work to be done, and it’s not gonna happen in that chamber for two hours when the president’s just gonna be using that bully pulpit as a way to just push further and further his agenda,” Gallego said.
Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT), the top Democrat on the House’s Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, is also not attending the address.
“I’ve never missed a #SOTU. But I’m sick of Trump’s lies, boasts and attacks on our democracy. This Tuesday, I’ll be at the People’s State of the Union with @MoveOn and @MeidasTouch, standing up for healthcare, affordability and decency,” Himes wrote on X.
Other members not attending include Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME). Golden is one of the most conservative Democrats in Congress and will not seek reelection in 2026. His spokesperson told the Washington Examiner that he gave his guest ticket to a colleague who needed an extra.
“I’ve been to six of these addresses, three by President Trump and three by [former President Joe Biden],” Golden said in a statement to the Washington Examiner. “I’m interested in what the president has to say, but I’ve had my fill of pomp and circumstance. So I’ll be watching at home.”
Another member …
This is performative politics again.
President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address is expected to bring in a large crowd of lawmakers, Supreme Court justices, and guests from across the country to Capitol Hill.
But the Democratic side of the House chamber is going to look thinner than in previous addresses, with many members opting to engage in alternate programming rather than listening to Trump’s “self-congratulation.” Those attending are expected to sit in “silent defiance,” as encouraged by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY).
The Washington Examiner reached out to nearly every Democratic member of Congress on both the Senate and House sides to ask whether they plan to attend the State of the Union.
Who is not attending the State of the Union?
Nearly 50 Democrats responded in person, via statements, or via social media posts. Many said they do not plan to attend and will instead engage in alternate programming or stay at home with their families.
Among the Senate Democrats skipping the president’s address are Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), the No. 3 Senate Democrat. Others opting not to attend include Sens. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Tina Smith (D-MN), Ed Markey (D-MA), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR).
Gallego said in a video on X that he plans to spend the evening with his family.
“There’s a lot of work to be done, and it’s not gonna happen in that chamber for two hours when the president’s just gonna be using that bully pulpit as a way to just push further and further his agenda,” Gallego said.
Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT), the top Democrat on the House’s Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, is also not attending the address.
“I’ve never missed a #SOTU. But I’m sick of Trump’s lies, boasts and attacks on our democracy. This Tuesday, I’ll be at the People’s State of the Union with @MoveOn and @MeidasTouch, standing up for healthcare, affordability and decency,” Himes wrote on X.
Other members not attending include Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME). Golden is one of the most conservative Democrats in Congress and will not seek reelection in 2026. His spokesperson told the Washington Examiner that he gave his guest ticket to a colleague who needed an extra.
“I’ve been to six of these addresses, three by President Trump and three by [former President Joe Biden],” Golden said in a statement to the Washington Examiner. “I’m interested in what the president has to say, but I’ve had my fill of pomp and circumstance. So I’ll be watching at home.”
Another member …
Who isn’t attending the State of the Union, and what to expect from Democrat resistance
This is performative politics again.
President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address is expected to bring in a large crowd of lawmakers, Supreme Court justices, and guests from across the country to Capitol Hill.
But the Democratic side of the House chamber is going to look thinner than in previous addresses, with many members opting to engage in alternate programming rather than listening to Trump’s “self-congratulation.” Those attending are expected to sit in “silent defiance,” as encouraged by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY).
The Washington Examiner reached out to nearly every Democratic member of Congress on both the Senate and House sides to ask whether they plan to attend the State of the Union.
Who is not attending the State of the Union?
Nearly 50 Democrats responded in person, via statements, or via social media posts. Many said they do not plan to attend and will instead engage in alternate programming or stay at home with their families.
Among the Senate Democrats skipping the president’s address are Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), the No. 3 Senate Democrat. Others opting not to attend include Sens. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Tina Smith (D-MN), Ed Markey (D-MA), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR).
Gallego said in a video on X that he plans to spend the evening with his family.
“There’s a lot of work to be done, and it’s not gonna happen in that chamber for two hours when the president’s just gonna be using that bully pulpit as a way to just push further and further his agenda,” Gallego said.
Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT), the top Democrat on the House’s Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, is also not attending the address.
“I’ve never missed a #SOTU. But I’m sick of Trump’s lies, boasts and attacks on our democracy. This Tuesday, I’ll be at the People’s State of the Union with @MoveOn and @MeidasTouch, standing up for healthcare, affordability and decency,” Himes wrote on X.
Other members not attending include Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME). Golden is one of the most conservative Democrats in Congress and will not seek reelection in 2026. His spokesperson told the Washington Examiner that he gave his guest ticket to a colleague who needed an extra.
“I’ve been to six of these addresses, three by President Trump and three by [former President Joe Biden],” Golden said in a statement to the Washington Examiner. “I’m interested in what the president has to say, but I’ve had my fill of pomp and circumstance. So I’ll be watching at home.”
Another member …
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