{"id":2571899,"date":"2026-02-20T12:04:03","date_gmt":"2026-02-20T17:04:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/jacob-frey-and-brandon-johnson-team-up-for-state-of-the-union-rebuttal\/"},"modified":"2026-02-20T12:05:54","modified_gmt":"2026-02-20T17:05:54","slug":"jacob-frey-and-brandon-johnson-team-up-for-state-of-the-union-rebuttal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/jacob-frey-and-brandon-johnson-team-up-for-state-of-the-union-rebuttal\/","title":{"rendered":"Jacob Frey and Brandon Johnson team up for State of the Union rebuttal"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">26<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fjacob-frey-and-brandon-johnson-team-up-for-state-of-the-union-rebuttal%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2571899&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Two Democratic mayors are slated to deliver a rebuttal to President Trump\u2019s State of the Union address at a boycott event in Washington, D.C., described as \u201cState of the Swamp.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Chicago Mayor brandon Johnson will be the keynote speakers at the National Press Club event, organized by Defiance.org,an anti-Trump,liberal group.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; The program will also include remarks from lawmakers (Seth Moulton, Jason Crow, Dan Goldman, Eric Swalwell, ron Wyden, and former Senator Jon Tester) and will feature Robert De Niro; Governor Abigail Spanberger will give the Democratic Party\u2019s formal response.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; The event comes as Frey and Johnson have drawn attention for challenging Trump\u2019s immigration enforcement and the administration\u2019s use of federal troops in their cities to combat crime; Frey references two deadly ICE-related shootings in Minneapolis, and the administration later pulled back some federal personnel.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Frey and Johnson frame their appearance as standing up for safer cities and moral clarity, while Spanberger\u2019s response aims to contrast Democratic and Republican positions.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Defiance.<a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >org promotes anti-corporate stances<\/a> and other initiatives, such as campaigns against what it calls monopolistic practices and ICE whistleblowing activities.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Jacob Frey and Brandon Johnson delivering State of the Union rebuttal at boycott event<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2510367\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Two leading <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/mayors\/\">Democratic<\/a> mayors are joining forces to deliver rebuttals to President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\">Donald Trump<\/a>&rsquo;s annual State of the Union address to Congress next week.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson will be keynote speakers at the &ldquo;State of the Swamp&rdquo; rebuttal next Tuesday at Washington, D.C.&rsquo;s National Press Club. The <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.defiance.org\/\">event<\/a> is a boycott of Trump&rsquo;s speech, and is organized by the anti-Trump club, Defiance.org.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4464880\/watch-live-melania-trump-presents-inaugural-gown-smithsonian\/\">WATCH LIVE: Melania Trump presents inaugural gown at Smithsonian<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4464951\/watch-live-trump-holds-white-house-breakfast-governors-wes-moore-kevin-stitt\/\">WATCH LIVE: Trump holds White House breakfast for governors<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4464873\/vietnam-veterans-sue-stop-construction-trump-independence-arch\/\">Vietnam veterans sue to stop construction of Trump&#8217;s &#8216;Independence Arch&#8217;<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>The mayors have gained attention in recent months <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4419819\/trump-threatens-minnesota-insurrection-act-second-federal-shooting-reignites-protesters\/\">for challenging the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-taking-regeneron-drug-remdesivir-therapy-for-coronavirus-diagnosis-ex-wh-doctor-explains\/\" title=\"Trump taking Regeneron drug, Remdesivir therapy for coronavirus diagnosis: ex...WH doctor explains\">president&#038;rsquo<\/a>;s immigration enforcement<\/a> efforts and decision to send troops into their cities as part of a crackdown on crime. Frey has attracted particular notice due to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/immigration\/4433160\/minneapolis-readies-more-protests-alex-pretti-killing-judges-debate-ending-ice-minnesota-operation\/\">two deadly ICE-related shootings<\/a> that occurred in his city last month. Afterward, the Trump administration drew down federal personnel in the area.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The two men &ldquo;have become the face of the resistance to the lawless actions of the Trump administration,&rdquo; a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/defianceorg-hosting-chicago--minneapolis-mayors-to-give-historic-state-of-the-union-rebuttal-302693568.html?tc=eml_cleartime\">press release<\/a> advertising the Feb. 24 event reads.&nbsp;Reps. Seth Moulton (D-MA), Jason Crow (D-WI),&nbsp;Dan Goldman (D-NY), Eric Swalwell (D-CA), Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR),&nbsp;and former Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) are among the lawmakers also delivering remarks at the event, which will additionally feature Robert De Niro.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Johnson said he would &ldquo;not allow the threats posed by this administration to stand in the way of work building truly safe and affordable cities.&rdquo; Frey made a call for &ldquo;moral clarity,&rdquo; stating that both Democrats and Republicans &ldquo;must be willing to speak up when our fundamental values are tested.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) is delivering the Democratic Party&rsquo;s <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4464065\/abigail-spanberger-democratic-rebuttal-trump-state-of-the-union\/\">formal response<\/a> to Trump&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/how-red-states-have-reacted-in-the-month-since-scotus-overturned-roe-v-wade\/\" title=\"How Red ...s Have Reacted in the Month Since SCOTUS Overturned Roe v. Wade\">high-profile speech<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;She stands in stark contrast to Donald Trump, who will lie, deflect, and blame everyone but himself for his failed presidency on Tuesday evening,&rdquo; House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) said.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4457774\/kevin-kiley-election-crossroads-rebuking-trump-tariffs\/\"><strong>KEVIN KILEY FACES ELECTION CROSSROADS AS HE REBUKES TRUMP&rsquo;S TARIFFS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Frey and Johnson&rsquo;s remarks to Democrats boycotting Trump&rsquo;s speech to Congress will be hosted by <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/edge.prnewswire.com\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=4623926-1&amp;h=4141755585&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fdefiance.org%2F&amp;a=DEFIANCE.org\">Defiance.org<\/a>, a liberal, anti-corporate group committed to opposing Trump on ICE and other matters, as well as opposing major &ldquo;monopolistic&rdquo; businesses such <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/weaintbuyingit.com\/\">as Amazon<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Among its initiatives is a national campaign to &ldquo;ensure U.S. troops have the legal support to respond to &lsquo;manifestly illegal orders,&rsquo;&rdquo; and ICE whistle distribution to &ldquo;expose unlawful&rdquo; activity.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Frey and Johnson to deliver State of the Union rebuttal<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3142,"featured_media":2571900,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/brandon-johnson-protests.webp?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[70494,4162,51582,10099,73673],"class_list":["post-2571899","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-frey","tag-johnson","tag-mayors-2","tag-rebuttal","tag-state-of-the-union-2"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/brandon-johnson-protests.webp?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2571899","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3142"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2571899"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2571899\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2571903,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2571899\/revisions\/2571903"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2571900"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2571899"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2571899"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2571899"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}