A growing number of Democrats skipping the State of the Union on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, are using absence and counterprogramming to protest President Donald Trump’s annual address to Congress. Some lawmakers plan to attend alternative rallies in Washington, while others say they will remain in their home states and watch remotely.
Trump is scheduled to deliver the address at 9 p.m. ET in the House chamber at the U.S. Capitol, according to a detailed viewing guide published by CBS News.
With limited options for on-the-floor dissent, Democratic leaders have urged members to choose between attendance without disruptions or skipping the speech entirely.
Democrats skipping the State of the Union focus on a rival rally
One of the main alternatives is the “People’s State of the Union,” a National Mall rally organized by MeidasTouch and MoveOn Civic Action. A Feb. 18 report by Reuters said about a dozen House and Senate Democrats had announced plans to appear, with the event timed shortly before Trump’s remarks.
MoveOn’s event notice says the rally is set for 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, on the National Mall near 3rd Street between Jefferson and Madison. A livestream was planned on MeidasTouch’s YouTube channel and MoveOn’s site, according to a MoveOn release.
The same release lists Democratic speakers and participants, including Sens. Ed Markey of Massachusetts, Jeff Merkley of Oregon, Chris Murphy of Connecticut, Tina Smith of Minnesota and Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, along with House members such as Reps. Yassamin Ansari of Arizona, Becca Balint of Vermont, Greg Casar of Texas, John Larson of Connecticut, Delia Ramirez of Illinois and Pramila Jayapal of Washington.
The rally is designed to overlap with the televised political window that typically belongs to the president, while avoiding the chamber rules that limit demonstrations during the address.
Lawmakers splitting between Washington events and staying home
Not every Democrat skipping the speech is heading to the National Mall. Some members have said they will remain in their states and follow the address from home.
In Maine, Rep. Jared Golden told local media he would not attend in person and planned to watch from Maine, according to The Portland Press Herald and a separate report by WMTW.
In Arizona, Sen. Ruben Gallego said he would skip the address, while Sen. Mark Kelly said he planned to attend. Gallego’s decision and Kelly’s attendance were reported by News From The States, which also described several other Arizona Democrats choosing to boycott the speech and, in some cases, send guests to the chamber instead.
These decisions have produced a mixed approach in the caucus: some members are opting for public protest events in Washington, others are using their absence to emphasize constituent work at home, and some are still planning to attend in person.
