In 2000, then-Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi stood behind President Trump on the podium, picked up her copy of his speech, and,sure everyone there and on TV would see it, ripped it into shreds. She is no longer the speaker but still a very powerful member of Congress. She is recommending a different approach for President Trump’s speech to a joint session of Congress on March 4.
In an interview with The Washington Post, Pelosi urged Democrats not to react visibly to Trump’s speech, saying, “Any demonstration of disagreement, whether it’s visual or whatever, just let him stew in his own juice.” It sounds, however, like many of Pelosi’s democratic colleagues will ignore Pelosi’s advice.
Some expected protests (condensed) per Axios;
- Some members have told colleagues they may leave the chamber when Trump says specific lines they find objectionable.
- Criticism of transgender kids was brought up as a line in the sand that could trigger members to storm out,
- 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
- Hand clappers, red cards, and various other props have also been discussed,
Fox adds that there will be some protests less disruptive;
More traditional protest plans include the Democratic Women’s Caucus encouraging members to wear pink and women with the Congressional Black Caucus discussing plans to wear black. Other members have considered wearing blue and yellow to show solidarity with Ukraine.
As usual for national speeches, Democrats and Republicans each are bringing guests to support their own positions. Senators who announced they would not be going to the speech include Patty Murray (D-WA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Don Beyer (D-VA), Bernie Sanders (D-VT), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).
Some Democrats, such as Sen. Chris Murphy, will speak before Trump starts. These crazy Dems will be criticizing the speech that has yet to be delivered.
Wouldn’t it be great if the Democrats decided to meet with the President and tried to work out compromise solutions? Instead, their protests can be explained by Shakespeare’s words from Macbeth:
“It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.’
