2026 State of the Union: The biggest names icing Trump’s speech
President Donald Trump is set to deliver the 2026 State of the Union to a joint session of Congress, with Supreme Court justices adn senior military leaders expected to attend. Invitations were also sent to the U.S. men’s and women’s hockey teams, who earned Olympic gold medals recently; the women’s team, however, cannot attend due to prior commitments.
A large number of Democratic lawmakers plan to boycott or watch from home, choosing alternative programming instead of attending in person, including a livestreamed or nearby event called the people’s State of the Union and other counter-programs.
Notable senators skipping or choosing alternatives:
– Patty Murray (D-WA): will deliver a livestreamed address to Washington state.
– Chris Van Hollen (D-MD): will participate in the People’s State of the Union on the National Mall.
– Adam Schiff (D-CA): will skip in favor of the People’s State of the Union.
– Ron Wyden (D-OR): will attend the “State of the Swamp” event at the National Press Club.
– Angus King (I-ME): will not attend Trump’s address.
– Chris Murphy (D-CT): will attend the People’s State of the Union.
– Tina Smith (D-MN): will attend the People’s State of the Union.
– Ed Markey (D-MA): will attend the People’s State of the Union.
– Jeff Merkley (D-OR): will attend the People’s State of the union.
– Ruben Gallego (D-AZ): plans to spend time with family and work for Arizona.
Notable representatives skipping or choosing alternatives:
– Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY): said she would not use her presence to normalize Trump’s conduct.
– Jim Himes (D-CT): will attend the People’s State of the Union.
– John Larson (D-CT): will attend the People’s State of the Union.
– Eric Swalwell (D-CA): will attend the State of the Swamp event.
– Ami Bera (D-CA): said Trump’s remarks would troll colleagues; will skip.
– Sydney Kamlager-dove (D-CA): will attend the People’s State of the Union.
– Eugene Vindman (D-VA): will attend the State of the Swamp.
– Don Beyer (D-VA): will meet constituents in Virginia.
– Jared Golden (D-ME): will watch from home.
– Chellie Pingree (D-ME): will attend the People’s State of the Union.
– Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ): will attend the People’s State of the Union.
– Delia Ramirez (D-IL): will attend the People’s State of the Union.
– Sean Casten (D-IL): will watch the speech, but not from the Capitol chamber.
– april McClain Delaney (D-MD): will attend the People’s State of the Union.
– Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ): will attend the People’s State of the Union.
– Greg Casar (D-TX): will attend the People’s State of the Union.
– Veronica Escobar (D-TX): will attend the People’s State of the union.
– Becca Balint (D-VT): will attend the People’s State of the Union.
– Pramila Jayapal (D-WA): will attend the People’s State of the Union.
– Dina Titus (D-NV): will watch the speech from her office.
In short, while Trump will deliver the address to the nation, a sizable portion of the Democratic caucus is opting for alternative programming or to watch remotely, reflecting divided approaches to the event.
2026 State of the Union: Here are the most notable names skipping Trump’s address
President Donald Trump is delivering a high-profile address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday evening, though many lawmakers will not be in attendance due to their opposition to the White House.
When Trump opens his 2026 State of the Union speech at 9 p.m. EST, the Supreme Court justices and senior military leaders will be in attendance. Invitations have also been sent to the United States men’s and women’s hockey teams, who both came away with gold medals against Canada in the Olympic Games last week, although the women’s team said it is unable to attend due to “previously scheduled academic and professional commitments.”
A slew of Democratic senators and representatives are opting to boycott the event or watch the address from home, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and nearly a quarter of the Senate’s Democratic caucus.
Which senators are skipping?
Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), the third-ranking Senate Democrat. She will instead deliver a livestreamed address to Washington state.
Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD). He will instead participate in the alternative People’s State of the Union event being held by MeidasTouch and MoveOn, which will begin around 8 p.m. on the National Mall.
Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA). This is the first time he has skipped the address. He will attend the People’s State of the Union event.
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR). He is attending another progressive counter-programming event: the “State of the Swamp” event, which will start shortly before Trump’s speech at the National Press Club.
Sen. Angus King (I-ME). King, who caucuses with Democrats, said he will not be attending Trump’s speech, but will likely watch it from elsewhere.
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT). He will attend the People’s State of the Union event.
Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN). She will attend the People’s State of the Union event.
Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA). He will attend the People’s State of the Union event.
Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR). He will attend the People’s State of the Union event.
Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ). He plans to spend the time “working for Arizona” and with his family.
Which House members are skipping?
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY). She said she would “not use [her] presence at a state ceremony to normalize Trump’s lawless conduct & subversion of the Constitution.”
Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT), the top Democrat on the House’s Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. He will attend the People’s State of the Union event.
Rep. John Larson (D-CT). He will attend the People’s State of the Union event.
Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA). He will attend the State of the Swamp event.
Rep. Ami Bera (D-CA). He said he expected Trump’s remarks “to troll both my Democratic and Republican colleagues.”
Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA). She will attend the People’s State of the Union event.
Rep. Eugene Vindman (D-VA). He will attend the State of the Swamp event.
Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA). He will spend the evening meeting with constituents in Virginia.
Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME). He will watch Trump’s speech from home.
Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME). She will attend the People’s State of the Union event.
Reps. Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ). She will attend the People’s State of the Union event.
Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-IL). She will attend the People’s State of the Union event.
Rep. Sean Casten (D-IL). He will be watching Trump’s State of the Union speech, but not from the Capitol chamber.
Rep. April McClain Delaney (D-MD). She will attend the People’s State of the Union event.
Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ). She will attend the People’s State of the Union event.
Rep. Greg Casar (D-TX). He will attend the People’s State of the Union event.
Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-TX). She will attend the People’s State of the Union event.
Rep. Becca Balint (D-VT). She will attend the People’s State of the Union event.
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Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA). She will attend the People’s State of the Union event.
Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV) will watch Trump’s State of the Union speech from her office.
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