Some Democrats plan boycott of Trump's State of the Union

""These aren't normal times and showing up for this speech puts a veneer of legitimacy on the corruption and lawlessness that has defined his second term," Murphy said in a statement. Ansari, who walked out of Trump's address to Congress last year, said the rally continues her earlier protest. "Americans deserve an honest account of the state of our union," she said. She said she plans to bring in a guest who was targeted by the Trump administration's immigration crackdown."

""It's not a surprise that they refuse to celebrate and honor the Americans who have benefited from the commonsense policies Republicans have governed with," said White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson. Democrats have boycotted a series of Trump's biggest moments throughout both of his terms. Of the dozens of House Democrats who skipped Trump's first inauguration, 31 were still in Congress and seven chose to attend his second one, signaling a faded resistance from the first Trump era."

Several Democrats and progressive activists are organizing a boycott and counter-rally for Trump's State of the Union, arguing attendance would legitimize corruption and lawlessness in his second term. Representative Murphy called showing up a veneer of legitimacy on that corruption. Ansari, who walked out last year, said the rally continues her protest and plans to bring a guest targeted by the administration's immigration crackdown. MoveOn and MeidasTouch are hosting the rally. The White House dismissed the boycott, with spokesperson Abigail Jackson criticizing Democrats, while Republicans aim to shift focus to economic messaging despite a partial shutdown and recent negative headlines.

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