Democratic lawmakers are discussing a litany of options to protest at President Trump’s speech to Congress on Tuesday, including through outright disruption, a half dozen House Democrats told Axios.

Why it matters: Some of these tactics go beyond their leaders’ recommendation that members bring guests hurt by Trump and DOGE. This sets up a potential clash between party traditionalists and its more combative anti-Trump wing.

  • “The part that we all agree on is that this is not business as usual and we would like to find a way — productively — to express our outrage,” one House Democrat told Axios.

  • There is widespread disagreement among Democrats, both inside and outside of Congress, over what would be the most appropriate and effective form of demonstration.

A wide array of props — including noisemakers — has also been floated:

  • Signs with anti-Trump or anti-DOGE messages — just as Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) held up a sign during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech last year that said “war criminal.”
  • Eggs or empty egg cartons to highlight how inflation is driving up the price of eggs.
  • Pocket constitutions to make the case that Trump has been violating the Constitution by shutting down congressionally authorized agencies.
  • Hand clappers, red cards and various other props have also been discussed, multiple sources said.

What they’re saying: House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) wrote in a letter to House Democrats that he and other leaders plan to attend the speech to “make clear to the nation that there is a strong opposition party ready, willing and able to serve as a check and balance.”

  • Jeffries also said leadership understands if some members skip the speech — as several have said they plan to do — but urged a “strong, determined and dignified Democratic presence in the chamber.”

  • House Democratic caucus chair Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.) told Axios leadership is telling members to “keep the focus on the health and safety and the economic wellbeing of our constituents.”

  • @PumpkinSkink
    link
    820 hours ago

    When one of them gets arrested I’ll know they mean it.

    • @Fredselfish
      link
      118 hours ago

      Please Democrats won’t do shit. Motherfuckers including thst snake Elizabeth Warren gave him Trump standing ovation. Only Sanders refused to stand our clap for Trump. Democrats have no fucking spine.

      • @PumpkinSkink
        link
        12 hours ago

        My money is on you being right… But if they wanted to prove it wrong, getting arrested would be a good start.

  • @[email protected]
    link
    fedilink
    English
    211 day ago

    “The part that we all agree on is that this is not business as usual and we would like to find a way — productively — to express our outrage,” one House Democrat told Axios.

    In other words, this isn’t business as usual but we’re going to restrict ourselves to behaving as though it is.

    They’re fucking useless.

  • @[email protected]
    link
    fedilink
    English
    261 day ago

    America in the 21st century - the Republicans are dismantling the government in order to make it even easier for the 1% to loot and pillage without consequence, and the Democrats are debating maybe disrupting a speech.

  • Capt. Wolf
    link
    24
    edit-2
    1 day ago

    Coming soon, “Democrats who disrupted presidential speech banned from further presidential addresses.”

    Also, “ready, willing, and able?”

    They weren’t READY despite repeated warnings and in the face of blatant statements and evidence. And they haven’t been ABLE to do anything to stop the continued dismantling of our government infrastructure since Trump took office.

    How about fucking doing anything?

  • @Raiderkev
    link
    1023 hours ago

    Ping me when they throw the eggs at him

  • @Sanctus
    link
    English
    10
    edit-2
    1 day ago

    KISS NO RINGS

    TRUST NO CROWNS

    LETS FUCKING GOOOOOOOO

    Edit: oh, god dammit…

  • Lit
    link
    523 hours ago

    make sure to call him by his name, Krasnov Trump.

  • @[email protected]
    link
    fedilink
    423 hours ago

    A wide array of props — including noisemakers — has also been floated

    Cool act like clowns. That’ll show him…

  • @[email protected]
    link
    fedilink
    41 day ago

    A wide array of props — including noisemakers — has also been floated:

    One particular type of noisemaker comes to mind…