'Silent defiance' or outright opposition? Democrats split over how to confront Trump

When President Donald Trump enters the House chamber for the first State of the Union address of his second term on Tuesday, Democrats intend to make their discontent known.

A growing number are ditching the event all together, either to attend counterprogramming on the national mall or speak with constituents. Some say they plan to attend the speech but sit there silently, not joining Republicans in applauding the president at any points.

The remaining Democrats in the chamber are a wildcard — and could be the biggest headache for House Democratic leaders.

Whether Trump receives the same rowdy reception as last year’s address from Democrats — or whether Democratic leaders successfully convince their members to keep the focus on the president — remains to be seen.

House Democratic leaders have been clear they prefer the stoic approach, hoping to give a president who’s becoming more unpopular the more he talks all the camera time he desires.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York has urged his members in the chamber to not make a scene — an approach he’s dubbed “silent defiance.” The other option, he said, is to send a “message” by not attending at all.

Jeffries is choosing the former, opting to attend the speech. Last week, he told reporters the president “is coming to our House.”

“It’s my view that you don’t let anyone ever run you off of your block,” he said.

Some Democrats also appear onboard with the “silent defiant” approach. Freshman Rep. Suhas Subramanyam, D-Va., told MS NOW he plans to attend and that, in his view, the more Trump has talked, “the less popular he is with the American people.”

“So let him talk,” he said.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., also said he will be at the speech, telling reporters it’s “important to confront” Trump “face to face.”

“I refuse to let him bully me out of the room,” he said. “I will be defiant in whatever way is appropriate. Certainly by silence — I won’t be standing and applauding.”

And Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz. — who Trump labeled a traitor for his part in a video urging service members to not follow “illegal” orders — said he will attend in part to send a message of resistance to Trump.

“The guy he wanted to hang in November, the guy he wanted to throw into prison two weeks ago and tried to indict federally,” Kelly said, “is going to be sitting there, right in front of him.”

If all Democrats follow the don’t-make-a-scene marching orders, it would be in stark contrast to a dramatic episode during last March’s joint address. It was then, just a few minutes into Trump’s speech, when Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, stood up, wagged his cane, and shouted at the president.

He was subsequently removed from the chamber and later censured by the House. Notably, 10 Democrats joined with Republicans in voting to reprimand him.

There were other quiet Democratic protests last year, too.

The Congressional Progressive Caucus, for instance, distributed signs that read “Save Medicaid” and “Musk Steals” — a reference to former special government employee Elon Musk and the federal spending and staffing cuts he imposed through his so-called Department of Government Efficiency.

With Democrats facing pressure from their base to more forcefully push back on the president, there are outstanding questions if there could be a repeat of last year.

On Monday afternoon, Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., indicated disruptions would not be tolerated. He told MS NOW that “everybody needs to be on their best behavior, on both sides.”

One way Democrats will have a chance to send a message Tuesday — without making a peep — is through their invited guests, who will get to watch the speech from the gallery overlooking the House chamber.

Several are bringing survivors of Jeffrey Epstein, ensuring the fight over the release of the files, which has clouded the past few months of Trump’s term, will be front and center.