Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) is joining a growing group of Democrats who plan to boycott President Trump’s State of the Union address next Tuesday in favor of an alternative event, according to progressive media outlet MeidasTouch.
The outlet reported that Schiff is set to speak at a counter rally on the National Mall, dubbed the “People’s State of the Union,” that it is hosting alongside liberal advocacy group MoveOn Civic Action.
The lineup of Democratic speakers also includes Sens. Ed Markey (Mass.), Jeff Merkley (Ore.), Chris Murphy (Conn.) and Tina Smith (Minn.), as well as at least seven House members.
The rally is just one of several counterprogramming efforts Democrats are expected to engage in to protest Trump’s Feb. 24 address, his first State of the Union since returning to office.
Another event called the “State of the Swamp” is planned at the National Press Club at 7 p.m. that same night, featuring a small group of Democrats.
Some Democrats have signaled they may attend one of the counter rallies in addition to the State of the Union, while others say they are skipping it entirely.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) told reporters on Wednesday that members of his caucus could either attend the high-profile address with “silent defiance” or take part in other programming “that is going to take place in and around the Capitol complex.”
The president’s address to a joint session of Congress last year drew pointed displays of dissent from Democrats, including a staged walkout by several members and an outburst from Rep. Al Green (D‑Texas) that resulted in his removal from the House chamber and eventual censure.
Other Democrats held up signs with messages that read “False” and “Save Medicaid” as Trump spoke.
Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) warned his colleagues on Thursday against using the same kind of disruptive behavior during next week’s speech.
“I mean, there’s just no dignity if you have paddles, if you are yelling and saying those kinds of things,” Fetterman told Fox News’s Jesse Watters. “I mean, you can agree or disagree on things, but if you’re going to show up, just do it with dignity because, you know, really need to respect the office.”
Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D), Virginia’s first female governor, is slated to give the Democratic response to Trump’s speech.
