Democratic Senator John Fetterman Voices Opposition to Party's SOTU Protest Plans
Democratic Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania has publicly expressed his disapproval of fellow party members who intend to skip or protest President Donald Trump's upcoming State of the Union address. In a recent interview with Fox News' Jesse Watters, Fetterman emphasized the importance of maintaining dignity and respect for the presidential office, regardless of political disagreements.
Fetterman Calls for Dignity and Respect in Political Discourse
"I just hope they don't do the kinds of things that some did last year," Fetterman stated during the Thursday interview. "I mean, there's just no dignity if you have paddles, or if you are yelling and saying those kinds of things." The senator, known for his occasional criticisms within his own party, further elaborated that while disagreements are natural, showing up should be done with respect. "You can agree or disagree on things, but if you are going to show up, just do it with dignity because you really need to respect the office," he added.
Democrats Plan Counterprogramming Event
According to a report by Politico, at least a dozen Democrats are planning to avoid Trump's State of the Union address next week. Instead, they will participate in a separate event called the "People's State of the Union," organized by left-leaning groups MoveOn and MeidasTouch on the National Mall. This counterprogramming aims to provide an alternative platform during the presidential speech.
Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut defended the decision in a statement, arguing that these are not normal times. "Showing up for this speech puts a veneer of legitimacy on the corruption and lawlessness that has defined his second term," Murphy said. Other prominent Democrats joining the counterprogramming include Senators Ed Markey of Massachusetts and Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, along with Representative Yassamin Ansari of Arizona.
Fetterman Warns Against Counterprogramming Efforts
Fetterman expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of such counterprogramming, suggesting it rarely succeeds. "And now they are doing like, a counterprogramming, and that's never going to go well," he remarked. "I mean, it's like, regardless who the president is, you know, the counter never really lands, and it really kind of just doesn't compare."
Senator Chris Van Hollen reinforced the opposition's stance in a social media post, stating, "Next week, Trump will deliver his State of the Union address. I won't be there. Trump is marching America towards fascism, and I refuse to normalize his shredding of our Constitution & democracy. This cannot be business as usual." This highlights the deep political divisions surrounding the event.
The debate underscores ongoing tensions within the Democratic Party as members grapple with how to respond to Trump's presidency, balancing protest with traditional respect for governmental institutions.
