Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (DN.Y.) said he would not attend President Trump's speech to a joint Congress meeting Tuesday night.
She said she would instead post live about the speech on social media.
“I won't go to a joint address. A New York Democrat said in a post on social platform Bluesky:
“We'll continue with IG live after that,” she added, using the popular shorthand for social media platform Instagram.
Trump heads to the Capitol on Tuesday night for his first joint address of his second term.
The president is expected to restructure his government, crack down on immigration, and tout his drastic efforts to reopen US foreign policy shortly after an oval office spat with Ukrainian President Voldymir Zelensky.
The president's speech to Congress is often an opportunity for minorities to show resistance – by wearing symbolic outfits, booing at strategic moments, or boycotting speeches entirely.
House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries (DN.Y.) in a letter to “dear colleague” on Monday called on Democrats to have a “strong, determined, dignified” presence at the address, but added, “the decision to attend a joint session is personal and we understand that members will reach different conclusions.”
“But it's important to have a strong, determined, dignified democratic presence in the room,” the Democratic leader continued. “The home as an institution belongs to Americans, and as representatives we don't run away from the block or get bullied.”
Jeffries said he and other members of the Democratic leadership will be present in the speeches, “it will make it clear that there are strong opposition parties ready, willing and able to balance the administration's overcheck.”
Still, several other Democrats said they plan to skip Trump's speech to Congress.
