Senator Mark Kelly announced he will attend President Trump's State of the Union address, citing a sense of obligation despite other Democrats skipping it due to political disagreements and controversy surrounding his participation in a video calling on troops not to follow illegal orders. Kelly's involvement led to a Justice Department investigation, which did not result in charges. While some Democrats plan to attend the address, others intend to protest Trump's policies at a separate event.

Mark Kelly to attend Trump State of the Union address: ‘I feel it’s my obligation’

Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) on Thursday said he would attend President Trump’s State of the Union address while other members of his party are skipping it, saying he felt an obligation to do so.

Kelly has been embattled with the Trump administration over a video he participated in calling on troops to not carry out illegal orders.

“I understand people who don’t want to be there. This guy is violating the constitutional rights of Americans,” Kelly told Semafor. “This guy thought I would be in jail … I feel it’s my obligation to be there,” he added.

The Justice Department sought to indict Kelly and other senators who participated in the video, but failed to win a grand jury indictment. Trump had said Kelly and five other Democrats in the video were “traitors” guilty of sedition.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the elected officials participated in a “politically-motivated influence operation” and sought to lower Kelly’s retirement rank, but a federal judge found the Pentagon effort violated his First Amendment right.

A number of Democrats are expected to skip the State of the Union address, though several Democratic senators are planning to attend, including Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and John Fetterman (D-Pa.).

“I do plan to go to the State of the Union and then I do hope all the other Democrats that choose to come that we don’t do the same kinds of things that happened at the last year,” Fetterman said during a Fox News appearance, referencing outbursts from party members during Trump’s joint address to Congress in 2025.

Instead of verbal protests, some Democrats are planning to attend a separate event entitled the “People’s Union” to protest Trump’s policies.

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Mark Kelly to attend Trump State of the Union address: 'I feel it's my obligation' - AOL

Mark Kelly to attend Trump State of the Union address: ‘I feel it’s my obligation’

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