A group of House Democrats planned to disrupt President Donald Trump’s speech, but their efforts were shut down by party leadership.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) instructed Democrats to remain silent during Trump’s address on Tuesday night. Instead of protesting, Democrats were encouraged to bring guests affected by the administration’s actions, such as former federal employees laid off during the shutdown.
While many Democrats embraced this approach, others wanted a more combative response. Some considered walking out if Trump mentioned controversial topics, like transgender children. Others proposed using noisemaking devices or props, such as empty egg cartons, to highlight the cost of living. Despite leadership discouraging such actions, some Democrats argue that more disruptive gestures are necessary to satisfy their constituents.
