A Principled Protest Takes Shape (Image Credits: Compote.slate.com)
El Paso, Texas – U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar declared she would skip President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address, opting out of what she described as an evening of division and falsehoods.[1][2]
A Principled Protest Takes Shape
Escobar’s decision captured attention as Democrats grappled with how to respond to Trump’s second State of the Union since reclaiming the White House. She released her statement on February 23, 2026, just ahead of the February 24 event. The congresswoman, who represents Texas’s 16th District along the border, framed her boycott as a refusal to lend legitimacy to rhetoric she viewed as harmful.[3]
“Americans are worse off today because of Donald Trump and his policies,” Escobar stated. She highlighted specific grievances, including tax cuts favoring billionaires, lucrative government contracts awarded to private prison firms, economic fallout from tariffs, the failure to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies, reductions in Medicaid and nutrition assistance, and operations by what she called a “masked, secret police” that resulted in American deaths and constitutional violations.[1] Instead of tackling these challenges, Escobar argued, Trump would exploit the platform to “lie and divide.”[2]
Her words echoed a sentiment building among progressive lawmakers: the annual address had devolved into spectacle rather than substance.
Dozens of Democrats Join the Walkout
Escobar was far from alone in her stance. Reports indicated about a dozen, and possibly dozens more, Democratic lawmakers planned to forgo the Capitol event. This marked a coordinated pushback against Trump’s agenda during his return to power.[4]
Among the boycotters were several senators and representatives committed to highlighting constituent concerns outside the chamber. The list included:
- U.S. Sens. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.)
- U.S. Reps. Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.), Becca Balint (D-Vt.), Greg Casar (D-Texas), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.), and John Larson (D-Conn.)[1]
These figures represented a cross-section of the party, from border-state voices to longtime progressives.
Turning to the People’s State of the Union
Rather than an empty protest, many opted for the “People’s State of the Union,” a rally on the National Mall hosted by MSNBC’s Joy Reid and Katie Phang. Scheduled to overlap with Trump’s 9 p.m. speech, the event promised speeches from boycotting lawmakers focused on everyday Americans’ struggles.[4]
Escobar was set to address the crowd there, aligning her absence from the Capitol with direct engagement on the ground. Other participants included the senators and representatives already noted, emphasizing themes of economic justice and civil rights. A separate “State of the Swamp” gathering at the National Press Club drew additional critics, featuring figures like Sen. Ron Wyden and former guests such as Don Lemon.[4]
This counterprogramming underscored a strategic shift toward public forums over congressional pageantry.
Party Leadership Charts a Separate Course
Not all Democrats embraced the boycott. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer planned to attend, bringing guests to counter Trump’s narrative from within. Jeffries remarked that Trump was entering “our house” and Democrats would not vacate their space.[4]
Sen. John Fetterman urged restraint against disruptive tactics from the prior year. The party also prepared multiple rebuttals, including responses from Gov. Abigail Spanberger, Sen. Alex Padilla, and Rep. Summer Lee. This division reflected broader debates on confrontation versus presence.[4]
Key Takeaways
- Escobar’s boycott stems from policy harms like tax cuts for the wealthy and cuts to health programs.
- Dozens of Democrats favor the National Mall rally over Capitol attendance.
- Leadership attends to maintain opposition inside Congress.
Escobar’s move signals deepening partisan rifts as Trump addresses the nation once more. With alternatives drawing crowds and eyes, the real state of the union may unfold beyond the official podium. What do you think of this boycott strategy? Share in the comments.
