Georgia congressman, handful of other Dems boycotting State of the Union
U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson of Georgia is one of a handful of Democrats reportedly planning to boycott President Donald Trump’s historic State of the Union address Tuesday night.
Johnson announced his boycott on Twitter:
I won't be attending #SOTU this evening. I can't stomach all the lies. .@repjohnlewis said 3 years ago @realDonaldTrump is not a legitimate president -- and John has been proven right time & time again. Trump got elected w/ foreign help & now he's solicited foreign help for 2020.
— Rep. Hank Johnson (@RepHankJohnson) February 4, 2020
Others boycotting the speech include U.S. Reps. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.); Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY); Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.); Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.); Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.); Al Green (D-Texas); and Bennie Thompson (D-Tenn.)
The State of the Union is hurting because of the occupant of the White House, who consistently demonstrates contempt for the American people, contempt for Congress & contempt for our constitution. I cannot in good conscience attend tonight's sham #SOTU → https://t.co/DTwG3Y7dK3 pic.twitter.com/Hres8eAFkK
— Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (@RepPressley) February 4, 2020
Trump is the first American president to run for reelection while giving a State of the Union address at the same time he is under a Senate impeachment trial. He is set to be acquitted Wednesday of Democrat-led charges of impeachment by the GOP-controlled Senate.
After much deliberation, I have decided that I will not use my presence at a state ceremony to normalize Trump’s lawless conduct & subversion of the Constitution.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) February 4, 2020
None of this is normal, and I will not legitimize it.
Consequently, I will not be attending the State of the Union.
Trump's speech comes one day after the Democratic Iowa caucus, which was plagued by hours of technical delays in reporting results and subjected Hawkeye Democrats to national ridicule and embarrassment.
»SOTU: How to watch, and what to watch for
Trump will join Bill Clinton as the only two presidents to deliver the State of the Union while still under trial for impeachment in the Senate.
»RELATED: A rundown of Georgia lawmakers’ guests to 2020 SOTU
