Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) announced on Twitter she will not be attending President Trump's upcoming State of the Union speech.
Ocasio-Cortez said she reached the decision "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."
Ocasio-Cortez will be hosting an Instagram live on her account in the evening to "connect with my constituents and follow up with their questions" about Trump's speech.
This is a deeply personal decision for each member to make, and a choice I did not take lightly.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) February 4, 2020
I will be hopping on Instagram Live later this evening to connect with my constituents and follow up with their questions about #SOTU.
Other Democratic members of Congress who will not attend the State of the Union include Rep. Maxine Waters (CA), Rep. Steve Cohen (TN), Rep. Al Green (TX), and Rep. Frederica Wilson (FL).
To think that I would attend the #SOTU to hear the message of an IMPEACHED president is a thought that in no way would be consistent w/ my fight and struggle against this dishonorable president. I will certainly NOT be there!
— Maxine Waters (@RepMaxineWaters) February 4, 2020
Inbox: Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) announced today that he will not attend the State of the Union address by President Trump on Tuesday night, just as he has refrained from attending prior Trump State of the Union addresses and his inauguration.
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) February 4, 2020
I’m glad that my colleagues @RepBlumenauer, @RepAlGreen & @RepWilson are continuing to stand against this #ImpeachedForever President. We will not be witnesses to more #TrumpLies. #SOTUBoycott #SOTU #SOTU2020https://t.co/cOHkZ6qXdK
— Steve Cohen (@RepCohen) February 4, 2020
Because of an impeached, reckless, ruthless, lawless, shameless, corrupt, & unapologetically bigoted president - who is still engaging in a coverup, the state of the House, the state of the Senate, and the #StateOfTheUnion are divided.
— Congressman Al Green (@RepAlGreen) February 4, 2020
I will NOT attend #SOTU2020.
Trump, who is scheduled to address the nation at 9 p.m. ET, will be the second president in history to give the annual speech while under impeachment. Former President Bill Clinton was the first.
