More and more Democrats are planning to skip President Trump’s first State of the Union address set for Jan. 30 in the House chamber, mostly over Trump’s reported opposition to taking immigrants from “shithole countries.”
Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore.
Blumenauer became the first Democrat to announce that he will skip Trump’s first State of the Union address and said he will remain in Oregon to meet with constituents rather than attend the speech.
“Rather than listening to another destructive, divisive speech by Trump, I will not attend this year’s annual address to Congress,” Blumenauer tweeted. “Instead, like I did during his inauguration, I’ll be working at home listening to Oregonians about what they think about the State of the Union!”
Rather than listening to another destructive, divisive speech by Trump, I will not attend this year’s annual address to Congress. Instead, like I did during his inauguration, I’ll be working at home listening to Oregonians about what they think about the State of the Union! #SOTU
— Earl Blumenauer (@repblumenauer) January 5, 2018
Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash.
Jayapal became the fifth member to announce their plan to skip the speech on Monday, and cited “all the racism” emanating from the White House.
ANNOUNCEMENT: With all the racism coming from the White House, I will NOT be attending @realDonaldTrump‘s State of the Union.
Instead, we’ll focus on the State of OUR Union, our opposition to his agenda, and we will lift up a progressive and inclusive vision of our country. pic.twitter.com/dcAWMIkZZV
— Pramila Jayapal (@PramilaJayapal) January 15, 2018
Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga.
The civil rights activist and longtime Georgia representative said he could not go to the speech after Trump’s “shithole countries” remark that was directed at Haiti and various African nations.
“At this junction, I do not plan to attend the State of the Union,” he told MSNBC. “I cannot in all good conscience be in a room with what he has said about so many Americans. I just cannot do it. I wouldn’t be honest with myself.”
Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif.
Waters said on Jan. 15 that she will not attends Trump’s address.
“Why would I take my time to go and sit and listen to a liar?” Waters told MSNBC. “Someone who lies in the face of facts, someone who can change their tune day in and day out. What does he have to say that I would be interested in?”
“I don’t trust him, I don’t appreciate him and I wouldn’t waste my time … listening to what he has to say,” she continued. “He does not deserve my attention.”
… on @allinwithchris, @repmaxinewaters tells @joyannreid she will skip trump’s state of the union on january 30: “why would i take my time to go and sit and listen to a liar? … he does not deserve my attention.” #inners pic.twitter.com/VNf3UIo2Pv
— fake nick ramsey (@nick_ramsey) January 13, 2018
Rep. Frederica Wilson, D-Fla.
The Florida congresswoman followed Lewis’ lead and cited Trump’s “shithole countries” remark as her main reason for not attending the address.
“For the first time since I began serving in the U.S. House of Representatives, I will not be attending the president’s State of the Union address. I have no doubts that instead of delivering a message of inclusivity and an agenda that benefits all Americans, President Trump’s address will be full of innuendo, empty promises and lies.”
I cannot in good consciousness attend the #SOTU address after the president went so low in his remarks about Haiti & African nations. It would be hypocrisy to go to an event at which he is honored.
— Rep Frederica Wilson (@RepWilson) January 16, 2018
