A growing coalition of Democratic members of Congress will skip President Trump’s scheduled State of the Union address on February 24, opting instead to participate in a counter-event on the National Mall. Organized by MoveOn Civic Action and the MeidasTouch Network, the “People’s State of the Union” is being framed by its organizers as a direct response to the administration’s policies and a platform for those they say have been harmed by the White House’s second-term agenda.
The rally is set to take place at 8:30 p.m. ET on 3rd Street between Jefferson and Madison. The event will be hosted by media personalities Katie Phang and Joy Reid and features a lineup of high-profile senators and representatives.
READ: Brutus vs. Trump: Judge Denies Inmate’s Request To Pick His Own Country For Deportation
Among those confirmed to attend are Senators Ed Markey (D-MA), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Tina Smith (D-MN), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD). Joining them are House members, including Representatives Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Greg Casar (D-TX), and Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ).
Organizers state the event is designed to provide an alternative narrative to the President’s speech. MoveOn Chief of Program Sara Haghdoosti said the administration has spent its first year “slashing health care” and “passing tax cuts for the Epstein class,” arguing that the public should hear directly from those “facing the consequences” of the current government. Ben Meislas of MeidasTouch confirmed his network would not stream the official State of the Union live, choosing instead to be the exclusive streaming partner for the counter-rally.
The boycotting lawmakers have expressed a variety of reasons for their absence from the House chamber.
Senator Ed Markey stated he would not “legitimize” the President’s remarks, claiming the administration “does not believe in ‘We the People’” and suggesting that the public should “turn off his remarks and turn toward each other.”
READ: ‘Boss Is Getting Fed Up’: War With Iran Could Be Closer Than Americans Even Realize
Similarly, Senator Chris Murphy characterized the President’s annual address as a “campaign rally to spew hatred,” adding that “showing up for this speech puts a veneer of legitimacy on the corruption and lawlessness that has defined his second term.”
The event plans to highlight specific policy grievances, particularly regarding immigration and economic issues.
Representative Yassamin Ansari noted that her guest for the evening would speak to the “human consequences of ICE’s actions,” while Representative Pramila Jayapal emphasized that “the American people are struggling to get by” despite the administration’s claims of success. Senator Chris Van Hollen described the current White House as the “most corrupt in American history,” citing an “out-of-control ICE operation” and “attacks on our federal workforce.”
Beyond elected officials, the rally will include advocacy leaders like Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, CEO of Interfaith Alliance. Raushenbush stated that the administration has launched “unprecedented” attacks on faith leaders and charities, arguing that the counter-event would showcase “true religious freedom” focused on equality and solidarity.
The “People’s State of the Union” will be available for public viewing via livestreams on the MeidasTouch YouTube channel and MoveOn.org. As of Wednesday, February 18, organizers indicated that additional speakers and guests would be announced leading up to the February 24 start date.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox
