While some Democrats chose to not attend President Trump's State of the Union speech on Wednesday, a few Democrats who did attend walked out in protest as Trump touted his administration successes.
Reps. Ilhan Omar (MN) and Rashida Tlaib (MI) walked out of the House chamber recognized Supreme Court Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch during his speech.
"The lies, the bigotry, and the shameless bragging about taking away food stamps that people depend on to live—it was all beneath the dignity of the office he occupies. Shame on this forever impeached president," Tlaib tweeted her explanation for the act.
Reps. Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib just became the latest Democrats to leave the chamber, filing out one after each other.
— Sarah Ferris (@sarahnferris) February 5, 2020
This came a few seconds after Trump touted Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation to the Supreme Court.
I walked out of that speech. The lies, the bigotry, and the shameless bragging about taking away food stamps that people depend on to live—it was all beneath the dignity of the office he occupies. Shame on this forever impeached president.
— Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) February 5, 2020
Omar and Tlaib were the only members of "The Squad" to attend the State of the Union. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY) and Ayanna Pressley (MA) did not show up.
I am not attending tonight’s sham #SOTU https://t.co/U9skFWohse
— Ayanna Pressley (@AyannaPressley) February 4, 2020
Ocasio-Cortez said she reached the decision to not attend "after much deliberation." The self-proclaimed Democratic socialist said she did not want to "legitimize" and "normalize Trump’s "lawless conduct [and] subversion of the Constitution."
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Rep. Tim Ryan (OH), who most recently dropped out the Democratic presidential primary, said he "had enough. It’s like watching professional wrestling. It’s all fake."
Rep. Bill Pascrell (NJ) said, "I can’t stand a liar. This man’s presidency is a national tragedy."
I just walked out of the #StateOfTheUnion. I can’t stand a liar. This man’s presidency is a national tragedy.
— Bill Pascrell, Jr. (@BillPascrell) February 5, 2020
I just walked out of the #StateOfTheUnion. I’ve had enough. It’s like watching professional wrestling. It’s all fake.
— Congressman Tim Ryan (@RepTimRyan) February 5, 2020
Other Democrats who boycotted the State of the Union included Rep. Maxine Waters (CA), Rep. Steve Cohen (TN), Rep. Al Green (TX), and Rep. Frederica Wilson (FL).
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