President Trump Faces Biggest SOTU Boycott in History

Dozens of Democrat Members of Congress are planning to boycott President Donald Trump’s State of the Union (SOTU) address – resulting in the largest boycott in U.S. history. Notable lawmakers such as Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) and Pramila Jayapal (WA-7) and Sens. Adam Schiff (CA) and Chris Murphy (CT) will attend other viewing events in protest (e.g., a “State of the Swamp” watch party).

The largest boycott prior was 2018, when 14 lawmakers sat out the SOTU, so if tonight’s reported total holds, it will be roughly double the boycotters from Trump’s prior address. And what’s the stated reason for not attending tonight? The Members of Congress just can’t bear to hear President Trump share his vision for 2026.

Senator Schiff put out a video on Saturday about why he plans to sit out:

Donald Trump is violating the law and Constitution. He is ignoring court orders. He has weaponized the Justice Department to go after his enemies. He is letting loose ICE troops in our streets that are getting people killed. I will not be attending the State of the Union. I’ve never missed one. I have always gone both to Inaugurations and to States of the Union, but we cannot treat this as normal. This is not business as usual. I will not give him the audience he craves for the lies that he tells.

The far Left keeps making it sound like Trump is a king who is giving out an edict to his subjects. Yet the Constitution clearly states that a U.S. President should “from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient.” Trump is merely fulfilling his obligation to Congress to stand before the other branches of government and ask for their cooperation.

Conversely, Senator John Fetterman (PA) plans to attend the SOTU, and he had this to say about his far-Left colleagues in Congress:

I hope this year they don’t put up those silly paddles and those kinds of weird protests. You don’t have to agree with what you’re going to hear, but last year, it just made us look like children. . . . Have some dignity.

Senator Fetterman speaks with actual emotional clarity and logic. I know many conservatives opposed his Senate campaign, but over time, he has emerged as one of the stronger leaders of his party with common sense.

And yes, decorum during the SOTU probably went out the window when Rep. Joe Wilson (SC-2) yelled out “You lie” during President Obama’s speech. But it seems like every year the bar for civility gets lowered. If you remember last year, Rep. Al Green (TX-9) had to literally be escorted out of the SOTU because of his temper tantrum during Trump’s address.

What kind of message does it send to the American people when you hold up a sign or yell out in protest? You are a duly elected Member of Congress – part of a coequal branch of government. Yet you make it sound like you are an inferior branch of government if your protest is Well, I’m not showing up. Or I’m going to hold up a paddle. In fact, you do have a lot of power in Congress. It’s time to get to work in representing the American people and put away such childishness.

If you’re a U.S. Senator or U.S. Representative, just show up. Do your job. It’s what you were elected to do.

While numerous far-Left politicians are openly subverting the Trump Administration, the ACLJ is fighting to let Trump defend America. A nation cannot survive if its Commander-in-Chief is constantly handcuffed while enemies advance. National security cannot be outsourced to partisan judges or unelected bureaucrats.

Since Day One, the ACLJ has been fighting to defend President Trump’s Executive authority with 20 filings in federal courts and the U.S. Supreme Court to end the lawfare designed to derail President Trump’s agenda. Join our efforts by signing our petition.

Today’s Sekulow broadcast included a full analysis of the far Left’s planned boycott of tonight’s SOTU. ACLJ Senior Advisor for National Security and Foreign Policy Ric Grenell gave his expectations for tonight’s address.

Watch the full broadcast below: