Five Democratic members of the House will skip President Donald Trump's State of the Union address to Congress on Tuesday evening, all of whom boycotted his address in previous years, The Hill reports.
Reps. Al Green, D-Texas, Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., Hank Johnson, D-Ga., and Frederica Wilson, D-Fla., will all miss the speech as an act of protest against his presidency.
Green tweeted on Tuesday:
"Because of an impeached, reckless, ruthless, lawless, shameless, corrupt, & unapologetically bigoted president – who is still engaging in a coverup, the state of the House, the state of the Senate, and the #StateOfTheUnion are divided." I will NOT attend #SOTU2020."
Johnson tweeted on Monday:
"During normal times, I would consider it my duty to attend and hear the president's agenda for the upcoming year. Unfortunately, these are not normal times."
Blumenauer wrote in a statement Monday, according to The Hill:
"I have chosen not to dignify Trump's parade of lies about healthcare, his persistent exaggeration, and his personal attacks with my attendance at this year's State of the Union Address. His appalling performances each day continue to justify that decision, and I have no doubt tomorrow night will be more of the same — even possibly worse."
Six House Democrats refused to attend Trump's previous State of the Union, and 14 boycotted his 2018 address.