Democrats often take the chance to protest, dress up, or make a scene whenever President Donald Trump speaks to Congress.
For instance, during Trump’s State of the Union address on January 30, 2018, many Democrats chose not to applaud and even planned protests. Some wore Kente cloth as a symbol connected to West African slave trading. And in February 2019, certain Democratic women donned white outfits to voice their disapproval of Trump’s stance on issues regarding unborn children and other feminist concerns. This trend continued in his joint address last year, where Democrats also dressed in pink and expressed their dissent through booing and catcalling.
While “Trump Derangement Syndrome” was expected to be apparent on that Tuesday evening, it appears that around 30 Democratic Congress members are planning an outdoor rally that might be more peaceful.
“I don’t think what we saw in Congress last year is particularly helpful.”
Organizations like MoveOn and Meidas Touch are organizing a “reverse programming” event on the National Mall starting at 8 p.m.
Notable attendees include Democratic Senators Ed Markey (Massachusetts), Jeff Merkley (Oregon), Tina Smith (Minnesota), Chris Van Hollen (Maryland), Ruben Gallego (Arizona), and Adam Schiff (California). Additionally, several Representatives such as Yassamin Ansari (Arizona), Becca Balint (Vermont), and Pramila Jayapal (Washington State) are also expected to join.
Markey expressed the view that attending the State of the Union aids Trump in reinforcing authoritarianism.
Van Hollen echoed similar sentiments, claiming that Trump is leading the nation toward fascism. He stated, “I refuse to normalize his shredding of the Constitution and democracy.”
Smith remarked that Trump tends to use his speeches to mock opponents and propagate falsehoods, adding that his addresses are often drawn out and tedious.
Schiff added a note about this not being “business as usual.”
Organizers of the reverse programming event hinted that Democrats would raise issues about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s performance, job losses in public health, and increasing costs.
MoveOn’s Program Chief Sara Haghdoosti conveyed that Trump seeks attention and ratings but stressed that this year’s State of the Union needs a different approach. “That’s why MoveOn is hosting the State of the Nation Address to amplify the voices of those affected by President Trump’s disastrous decisions,” she stated.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries might be relieved that his colleagues plan to share their frustrations remotely on Tuesday.
After all, during Trump’s speech to a joint session of Congress last year, their reactions were so disruptive that Rep. Al Green of Texas faced censure. Most Democrats remained seated while Trump honored a Texas boy suffering from cancer and announced that the boy would become an agent of the U.S. Secret Service.
Last week, Jeffries conveyed to fellow Democrats that they have two options, neither of which entails another ugly protest in Congress. “We can either show up in silent resistance or stay away to send a message to Donald Trump, which might involve participating in various alternative activities around the Capitol,” he explained.
Jeffries isn’t alone in advocating for restraint. Rep. Sarah McBride of Delaware reflected on how last year’s antics weren’t particularly effective, asserting that what should be highlighted are Trump’s unpopular policies, not gestures from the opposition.
