As President Donald Trump prepares to address Congress and the nation on Tuesday night, the absence of several Democratic lawmakers will be noticeable. While some will not be in attendance due to unavoidable circumstances, others have chosen to protest the event. Here is a list of Democrats who will not be attending Trump’s address to Congress.
1. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY)
The youngest woman ever elected to Congress, Rep. Ocasio-Cortez has been an outspoken critic of the Trump administration. She has made it clear that she will not be attending the address, stating that she does not want to “normalize” Trump’s presidency. Instead, she will be hosting a “State of the Union” event with activists and constituents in her district.
2. Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA)
Another freshman Congresswoman, Rep. Pressley has also decided to skip Trump’s address. In a statement, she cited the president’s “racist and hateful policies” as the reason for her absence. She will be joining Rep. Ocasio-Cortez at the alternative event in New York.
3. Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA)
Known for her fiery speeches and strong opposition to Trump, Rep. Waters will not be attending the address. She has been a vocal advocate for impeachment and has called for Trump’s removal from office. In a tweet, she stated that she will not be “complicit” in normalizing Trump’s behavior.
4. Rep. John Lewis (D-GA)
A civil rights icon, Rep. Lewis has been a vocal critic of Trump’s policies and actions. He will not be attending the address, stating that he cannot “in good conscience” be a part of an event that goes against his values and beliefs.
5. Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR)
Rep. Blumenauer has been a vocal opponent of Trump’s policies, especially on immigration and healthcare. He has announced that he will not be attending the address and will instead be hosting a “counter-programming” event with local activists and leaders.
6. Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN)
Rep. Cohen has been a vocal advocate for Trump’s impeachment and has been critical of the president’s policies. He has announced that he will not be attending the address, stating that he does not want to “legitimize” Trump’s divisive rhetoric.
7. Rep. Al Green (D-TX)
Another advocate for Trump’s impeachment, Rep. Green has decided to skip the address. He has been a vocal critic of the president and has called for his removal from office. In a statement, he said that he will not be a “willing participant” in Trump’s “sham” address.
While these are just a few of the Democrats who will not be attending Trump’s address to Congress, their absence speaks volumes. It is a clear indication of the deep divide and strong opposition to the Trump administration among the Democratic party.
However, it is important to note that not all Democrats will be skipping the event. Many have stated that they will attend in order to show respect for the office of the president and to listen to what Trump has to say.
In the end, whether they choose to attend or not, it is clear that Democrats are united in their opposition to Trump’s policies and actions. They will continue to fight for what they believe is right and hold the administration accountable.
As we await Trump’s address to Congress, let us remember that our democracy thrives on diversity of opinions and the right to peacefully protest. Let us also hope that this event will serve as a reminder for our leaders to work towards unity and progress for all Americans.
In conclusion, while some Democrats may not be in attendance at Trump’s address to Congress, their voices will still be heard loud and clear. Let us hope that this event will be a step towards bridging the divide and finding common ground for the betterment of our nation.