Democratic lawmakers are discussing a litany of options to protest at President Trump’s speech to Congress on Tuesday, including through outright disruption, a half dozen House Democrats told Axios.

Why it matters: Some of these tactics go beyond their leaders’ recommendation that members bring guests hurt by Trump and DOGE. This sets up a potential clash between party traditionalists and its more combative anti-Trump wing.

  • “The part that we all agree on is that this is not business as usual and we would like to find a way — productively — to express our outrage,” one House Democrat told Axios.

  • There is widespread disagreement among Democrats, both inside and outside of Congress, over what would be the most appropriate and effective form of demonstration.

A wide array of props — including noisemakers — has also been floated:

  • Signs with anti-Trump or anti-DOGE messages — just as Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) held up a sign during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech last year that said “war criminal.”
  • Eggs or empty egg cartons to highlight how inflation is driving up the price of eggs.
  • Pocket constitutions to make the case that Trump has been violating the Constitution by shutting down congressionally authorized agencies.
  • Hand clappers, red cards and various other props have also been discussed, multiple sources said.

What they’re saying: House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) wrote in a letter to House Democrats that he and other leaders plan to attend the speech to “make clear to the nation that there is a strong opposition party ready, willing and able to serve as a check and balance.”

  • Jeffries also said leadership understands if some members skip the speech — as several have said they plan to do — but urged a “strong, determined and dignified Democratic presence in the chamber.”

  • House Democratic caucus chair Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.) told Axios leadership is telling members to “keep the focus on the health and safety and the economic wellbeing of our constituents.”

    • Fredselfish@lemmy.world
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      2 months ago

      Please Democrats won’t do shit. Motherfuckers including thst snake Elizabeth Warren gave him Trump standing ovation. Only Sanders refused to stand our clap for Trump. Democrats have no fucking spine.

      • PumpkinSkink@lemmy.world
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        2 months ago

        My money is on you being right… But if they wanted to prove it wrong, getting arrested would be a good start.

  • WatDabney@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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    2 months ago

    America in the 21st century - the Republicans are dismantling the government in order to make it even easier for the 1% to loot and pillage without consequence, and the Democrats are debating maybe disrupting a speech.

  • OutlierBlue@lemmy.ca
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    2 months ago

    “The part that we all agree on is that this is not business as usual and we would like to find a way — productively — to express our outrage,” one House Democrat told Axios.

    In other words, this isn’t business as usual but we’re going to restrict ourselves to behaving as though it is.

    They’re fucking useless.

  • Sanctus@lemmy.world
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    2 months ago

    KISS NO RINGS

    TRUST NO CROWNS

    LETS FUCKING GOOOOOOOO

    Edit: oh, god dammit…

  • Capt. Wolf@lemmy.world
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    2 months ago

    Coming soon, “Democrats who disrupted presidential speech banned from further presidential addresses.”

    Also, “ready, willing, and able?”

    They weren’t READY despite repeated warnings and in the face of blatant statements and evidence. And they haven’t been ABLE to do anything to stop the continued dismantling of our government infrastructure since Trump took office.

    How about fucking doing anything?

    • Admiral Patrick@dubvee.org
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      2 months ago

      How about fucking doing anything?

      With a firm minority in both chambers of Congress, what, exactly, would you have them do besides raise awareness? This problem is on the voters who elected all these clowns, and right now, they’re the only ones who can fix it. And that’s not going to happen until 2026.

      • Fredselfish@lemmy.world
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        2 months ago

        MITCH FUCKING MCCONNELL WAS ABLE TO GET A SHIT TON DONE AND STOP EVERY GOOD THINGS THE DEMOCRATS TRIED TO PASS WITH NO MAJORITY!

        I’M FUCKING SICK OF HEARING “THEY DON’T HAVE A MAJORITY THEIR HANDS ARE TIED”

        IT’S BULLSHIT THERE ARE TONS OF THINGS THEY CAN DO TO STOP TRUMP.

        Making them vote on everything, filbursters, or forcing them to get 60 votes instead of majorly.

        DEMOCRATS have options they just fucking bought and are sitting on their hands.

      • Zorsith@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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        2 months ago

        Leak information on their political rivals to make them less safe. Location, security details, habits, etc. Make them paranoid and make them live in fear.

  • lightnsfw@reddthat.com
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    2 months ago

    A wide array of props — including noisemakers — has also been floated

    Cool act like clowns. That’ll show him…