Ocasio-Cortez among 10 Democrats planning to boycott State of the Union
At least 10 Democrats have said they will boycott Donald Trump’s State of the Union address on Tuesday night on the eve of a Senate impeachment trial vote that is expected to acquit him.
Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, of New York, said she would not be attending because she did not want to normalize Trump’s “lawless conduct” and “subversion of the constitution”.
After much deliberation, I have decided that I will not use my presence at a state ceremony to normalize Trump’s lawless conduct & subversion of the Constitution.
None of this is normal, and I will not legitimize it.
Consequently, I will not be attending the State of the Union.— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) February 4, 2020
Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts issued a statement explaining her decision, saying:
“The State of the Union is hurting because of the occupant of the White House, who consistently demonstrates contempt for the American people, contempt for Congress, and contempt for our constitution – strong-arming a sham impeachment trial in the Senate. This presidency is not legitimate.”
“On the eve of Senate Republicans covering up transgressions and spreading misinformation, I cannot in good conscience attend a sham State of the Union when I have seen firsthand the damage Donald J Trump’s rhetoric and policies have inflicted on those I love and those I represent.”
Both women attended Trump’s State of the Union speech last year just a month after taking office, but have since been the target of his racist attacks. The two other members of “the Squad” of progressive freshman congresswomen who were also subjected to those attacks, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Ilhan Omar of Minnesota confirmed they would attend the address.
Related: Trump renews racist attack on Squad: 'They're not capable of loving the US'
Other Democrats boycotting include Al Green, of Texas; Steve Cohen, of Tennessee; Earl Blumenauer, of Oregon; Hank Johnson, of Georgia; and Frederica Wilson, of Florida.
As he prepared to deliver the State of the Union address at the Capitol, Trump appeared headed for acquittal on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress in the impeachment trial.
