Dozens of Democrats boycott Trump’s 2026 State of the Union, attending a protest rally over his policies and democratic concerns.

Dozens of Democratic lawmakers, including Senators Jeff Merkley, Chris Murphy, and Chris Van Hollen, and Representatives Becca Balint, Greg Casar, and Pramila Jayapal, will boycott President Donald Trump’s 2026 State of the Union address, opting instead to attend a “People’s State of the Union” rally on the National Mall. Organized by MoveOn and MeidasTouch, the counterprogram aims to protest Trump’s policies on immigration, taxes, and democratic norms, with lawmakers bringing constituents affected by federal actions. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries encouraged silent defiance, reflecting deep party divisions over how to respond to Trump’s second-term agenda, amid concerns about government shutdowns, constitutional overreach, and the optics of political resistance.