UPDATE: Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) will also be boycotting the SOTU address, she said via Twitter on Tuesday.
“To think that I would attend the #SOTU to hear the message of an IMPEACHED president is a thought that in no way would be consistent w/ my fight and struggle against this dishonorable president. I will certainly NOT be there!” Waters posted.
To think that I would attend the #SOTU to hear the message of an IMPEACHED president is a thought that in no way would be consistent w/ my fight and struggle against this dishonorable president. I will certainly NOT be there!
— Maxine Waters (@RepMaxineWaters) February 4, 2020
Original Story:
As of Tuesday afternoon, at least seven House Democrats announced their plan to boycott President Donald Trump’s annual State of the Union address, set for this evening.
According to reports from The Hill and Axios, the following Democrats will not attend the address:
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY)
Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA)
Rep. Al Green (D-TX)
Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN)
Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR)
Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA)
Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-FL)
Additionally, as noted by The Daily Wire, far-left Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) will be skipping the address, too. Sanders, a Democratic presidential candidate, will be campaigning in New Hampshire, instead.
However, Sen. Sanders will have time to give a rebuttal to President Trump’s address.
“After much deliberation, I have decided that I will not use my presence at a state ceremony to normalize Trump’s lawless conduct & subversion of the Constitution,” Ocasio-Cortez said Tuesday.
“None of this is normal, and I will not legitimize it. Consequently, I will not be attending the State of the Union,” the congresswoman announced.
“This is a deeply personal decision for each member to make, and a choice I did not take lightly. I will be hopping on Instagram Live later this evening to connect with my constituents and follow up with their questions about #SOTU,” AOC added.
This is a deeply personal decision for each member to make, and a choice I did not take lightly.
I will be hopping on Instagram Live later this evening to connect with my constituents and follow up with their questions about #SOTU.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) February 4, 2020
Pressley posted, “The State of the Union is hurting because of the occupant of the White House, who consistently demonstrates contempt for the American people, contempt for Congress & contempt for our constitution. I cannot in good conscience attend tonight’s sham.”
The State of the Union is hurting because of the occupant of the White House, who consistently demonstrates contempt for the American people, contempt for Congress & contempt for our constitution. I cannot in good conscience attend tonight's sham #SOTU → https://t.co/DTwG3Y7dK3 pic.twitter.com/Hres8eAFkK
— Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (@RepPressley) February 4, 2020
Green said via Twitter on Tuesday: “Because of an impeached, reckless, ruthless, lawless, shameless, corrupt, & unapologetically bigoted president – who is still engaging in a coverup, the state of the House, the state of the Senate, and the #StateOfTheUnion are divided. I will NOT attend #SOTU2020.”
Because of an impeached, reckless, ruthless, lawless, shameless, corrupt, & unapologetically bigoted president – who is still engaging in a coverup, the state of the House, the state of the Senate, and the #StateOfTheUnion are divided.
I will NOT attend #SOTU2020.
— Congressman Al Green (@RepAlGreen) February 4, 2020
“Inbox: Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) announced today that he will not attend the State of the Union address by President Trump on Tuesday night, just as he has refrained from attending prior Trump State of the Union addresses and his inauguration,” Kyle Griffin reported Monday.
Inbox: Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) announced today that he will not attend the State of the Union address by President Trump on Tuesday night, just as he has refrained from attending prior Trump State of the Union addresses and his inauguration.
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) February 4, 2020
“During normal times, I would consider it my duty to attend and hear the President’s agenda for the upcoming year. Unfortunately, these are not normal times,” Johnson tweeted Monday.
This Tuesday is the State of the Union #SOTU2020 address. During normal times, I would consider it my duty to attend and hear the President’s agenda for the upcoming year. Unfortunately, these are not normal times.
— Hank Johnson (@ReElectHank) February 3, 2020
The address comes the day before the seeming acquittal of President Trump in the Senate. As reported by The Daily Wire on Tuesday morning, Alaska Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski crushed Democrats’ hopes when she announced that she will vote to acquit Trump on Wednesday:
Murkowski said Tuesday she “cannot vote to convict. The Constitution provides for impeachment but does not demand it in all instances.”
In this case, Murkowski continued, she found the president’s behavior to be “shameful and wrong,” but it was not enough to remove Trump from office.
Removal, Murkowski said, was “the political death penalty,” and Trump’s future should instead be left up to Americans, who will vote on whether to give Trump a second term in office later this year.
“The voters will pronounce a verdict in nine months, and we must trust their judgement,” she said.
Related: Lisa Murkowski Will Vote To ACQUIT President Trump, Crushing Democrats’ Hopes