Some Dems Plot To Disrupt Trump’s Speech To Congress
Around a dozen House Democrats are actively discussing various ways to protest President Donald Trump’s speech to Congress on Tuesday — and some of the ideas being floated involve interrupting the speech itself.
A number of these proposed actions go further than the guidance provided by Democratic leadership, which mainly suggested bringing guests who have been personally impacted by Trump and DOGE. According to Axios, this tension could lead to a split between the party’s more aggressive anti-Trump faction and its more traditional members.
“The part that we all agree on is that this is not business as usual and we would like to find a way — productively — to express our outrage,” one House Democrat told Axios.
There’s no consensus among Democrats — in or out of Congress — on exactly how they should register their opposition. Some lawmakers told Axios that certain members have even talked about walking out of the chamber when Trump makes statements they strongly oppose.
One House Democrat said the topic of criticizing transgender kids was specifically mentioned as a potential trigger for some to leave the room.
Axios also reported that some Democrats have raised the possibility of using props and noisemakers during the address:
Signs carrying anti-Trump or anti-DOGE messages — similar to when Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) held up a sign reading “war criminal” during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech last year.
Eggs or empty egg cartons to emphasize how inflation has driven up egg prices.
Pocket-sized constitutions to highlight what they see as Trump’s repeated violations of the Constitution by shutting down agencies authorized by Congress.
Other options include hand clappers, red cards (like the ones used at contentious town halls to signal disapproval), and various creative props.
Two House Democrats told Axios that during closed-door meetings Monday night, lawmakers were explicitly told not to bring props into the chamber or committee rooms.
However, there is internal division among House Democrats about these potential protests — largely influenced by the feedback they’ve received from their own constituents.
“There are definitely a lot of constituents that really want Democrats to disrupt and there are … constituents who feel like that just plays into his hands,” one House Democrat told Axios.
Some Democrats are pushing for quieter, more symbolic forms of protest, such as coordinated outfits that send a message.
The Democratic Women’s Caucus plans for its members to wear pink, signaling their disapproval of a president many strongly oppose.
Axios noted:
Black: Female members of the Congressional Black Caucus have separately talked about wearing black to convey the party’s somber mood.
Blue and yellow: Ukraine Caucus co-chair Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio) is distributing ties and scarves in the colors of Ukraine’s flag to show support for President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Others plan to sit silently with stone faces, refusing to clap throughout the speech — a traditional way for opposition party members to show disapproval without disruption.
In a letter to fellow Democrats, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) wrote that he and other leaders would attend the speech to “make clear to the nation that there is a strong opposition party ready, willing, and able to serve as a check and balance.”
Some Democrats have already indicated they will boycott the speech entirely, a decision Jeffries said leadership would respect. Still, he encouraged a “strong, determined, and dignified Democratic presence in the chamber.”
House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.) told Axios that leadership is urging Democrats to “keep the focus on the health and safety and the economic wellbeing of our constituents.”
“Whether we are wearing pink, or black, or yellow and blue, we are all conveying our displeasure with this administration,” said Rep. Stacey Plaskett (D-V.I.).
“What’s more important is our work together and the pressure for three Republicans to do the right thing for everyone,” she added.