Jeffries: Democrats should sit in ‘silent defiance’ during State of the Union
House Minority Leader hakeem Jeffries has laid out two options for Democrats attending President Trump’s State of the Union: attend with silent defiance or not attend at all and participate in alternate programming.Some Democrats will skip the address to hold a counter-rally on the National Mall, with members including Sen. Chris Murphy, Rep. Greg Casar, and Rep. Pramila Jayapal among those weighing or planning not to attend. The move follows notable disruptions by Democrats during Trump’s previous address,such as an interruption and other protest gestures. Jeffries says he will personally attend the State of the Union and emphasized that democrats won’t be cowed.
Jeffries lays ground rules for House Democrats attending State of the Union
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) is giving his Democratic members two options: Attend President Donald Trump‘s State of the Union silently or do not attend at all.
“The two options that are in front of us, in our house, is either attend with silent defiance, or to not attend, and send a message to Donald Trump in that fashion, which will include participation in a variety of different alternate programming,” Jeffries said during a press conference on Wednesday.
His comments come as a handful of Democrats from both chambers of Congress have announced they will not attend Trump’s address. They will instead hold a counter-rally on the National Mall. Those members include Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT), Congressional Progressive Caucus chairman Greg Casar (D-TX), former Progressive Caucus chairwoman Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), and other progressive colleagues.
The alternate programming and orders of “silent defiance” come after the behavior from Democrats during Trump’s joint address before Congress last year. Rep. Al Green (D-TX) stood up and interrupted Trump’s speech by yelling at him, which led to the congressman being escorted out and eventually censured by the House. Other Democrats walked out during the middle of Trump’s speech, wore intentional colors, or held up signage protesting the president.
SENATE DEMOCRATS WEIGH SKIPPING TRUMP STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS
Jeffries said he will personally attend the president’s address.
“We’re not going to Donald Trump’s house. He’s coming to our house. It’s my view that you don’t let anyone ever run you off of your block,” Jeffries said.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
