A group of Democratic lawmakers has announced plans to boycott President Donald Trump’s upcoming State of the Union address. Instead, they will participate in a counter-event called the "People’s State of the Union" scheduled for the same evening on the National Mall. This event will feature several senators and representatives, including Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and others.

The decision to skip the presidential address is part of a broader trend among these Democrats, many of whom have consistently chosen to opt-out of Trump’s major speeches and ceremonies throughout his presidency. Senator Chris Murphy criticized the president's second term, stating, “These aren’t normal times and showing up for this speech puts a veneer of legitimacy on the corruption and lawlessness that has defined his second term.”

Representative Yassamin Ansari, who walked out of Trump’s speech last year, emphasized the significance of the rally, “Americans deserve an honest account of the state of our union.” She plans to bring a guest who was directly affected by the Trump administration's strict immigration policies.

The rally is organized by MoveOn and will also feature the participation of the MeidasTouch media network among other groups. The event reflects a continuing stance of resistance against what these lawmakers see as a problematic administration.

The White House, on the other hand, has downplayed the significance of the boycott. Spokesperson Abigail Jackson remarked, “It’s not a surprise that they refuse to celebrate and honor the Americans who have benefited from the commonsense policies Republicans have governed with.”

This is not the first time Democrats have staged such boycotts; a notable number skipped Trump’s first inauguration, and many have continued to express their dissent throughout his terms. The boycott and the alternative rally underscore the deep political divisions and ongoing strife between congressional Democrats and the Trump administration.

Amidst this backdrop, President Trump is set to deliver his State of the Union address amidst a partial government shutdown and other national crises, which have raised concerns among some Republicans regarding the timing and optics of the address. Nevertheless, the GOP hopes to use the occasion to shift focus towards positive economic developments ahead of midterm elections, despite recent controversies that have dominated the news cycle.