Growing number of Democrats skipping Trump's 2026 State of the Union

Democratic lawmakers are split on attending Donald Trump's State of the Union Tuesday, with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries offering options of "silent defiance" or absence.

President Donald Trump speaks during the National Prayer Breakfast at Washington Hilton, Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025, in Washington.  (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

On the House side, Democrats attending will include Reps. Yassamin Ansari, D-Ariz., Becca Balint, D-Vt., Greg Casar, D-Texas, Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., John Larson, D-Conn., Sydney Kamlager-Dove, D-Calif., Delia Ramirez, D-Ill., Sara Jacobs, D-Calif., Emily Randall, D-Wash., and Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-N.J.

A smaller group of Democrats has announced that they will be skipping the State of the Union but will not be joining the counter event.

Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., and Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine, for instance, have made plans to stay at home.

DHS SHUTDOWN DRAGS INTO WEEK TWO AS IRAN THREAT, SOTU CLASH COMPLICATE HILL TALKS

The event comes as Democrats in the past have struggled to tactfully voice opposition to the State of the Union.

Trump gives his joint address to Congress in 2025 and is interrupted by Rep. Al Green, D-Texas (AP)

This year, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., has asked members of his caucus to approach the State of the Union along two lines.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

"The two options that are in front of us [are] to either attend with silent defiance or not to attend and send a message to Donald Trump in that fashion," Jeffries said at a press conference last week.

Jeffries himself has said he will attend the State of the Union alongside Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.

LIZ PEEK: Inflation, immigration and Trump’s State of the Union moment of truth

Leo Briceno is a politics reporter for the congressional team at Fox News Digital. He was previously a reporter with World Magazine.

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/democrats-skipping-trumps-state-union