Pelosi Rips Up Trump’s Speech, Dems Boycott SOTU
Last night, President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address had some people peeved
Photo: Wikimedia/US Department of Labor
Last night, President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address had some people peeved. The division between party lines was clear from the get-go. Several Democrats boycotted Trump’s speech by not attending at all, but more on that in a bit. The real battle, as always, was between Trump and Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Rep. Nancy Pelosi.
When Trump walked out to address the nation, he did so defiantly. He bypassed Rep. Pelosi when she extended her arm to shake his hand and flat out ignored her by shaking the hand of Vice President Mike Pence. It got worse from there.
It’s very likely he didn’t even see your handshake. Watch the video.
You were a disgrace to America tonight. Shameful behavior. pic.twitter.com/4fMWSKCK62
— Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) February 5, 2020
Yes, Trump did his usual rally-style speech, which, again, was riddled with lies. The Republicans stood up and applauded their leader regardless. The female Democrats that were in attendance wore white suits or dress to honor the women’s suffrage movement. At one point, when Trump talked about people’s right to bear arms, Fred Guttenberg, who lost his daughter during the shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School and is now an activist against gun violence, could not contain his anger and shouted at Trump. He was removed from his seat.
“Tonight was a rough night,“ Guttenberg tweeted. I disrupted the State Of The Union and was detained because I let my emotions get the best of me. I simply want to be able to deal with the reality of gun violence and not have to listen to the lies about the 2A as happened tonight.” He added, “That said, I should not have yelled out. I am thankful for the overwhelming support that I am receiving. However, I do owe my family and friends an apology. I have tried to conduct myself with dignity throughout this process, and I will do better as I pursue gun safety.”
After the speech was over, Rep. Pelosi tore up the copy of Trump’s speech, which he handed to her previously. She tore it up once and then tore up the rest. It was a pretty killer move considering she went viral last year for her snarky clap back.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) February 5, 2020
As we mentioned earlier, at least ten Democrats boycotted the speech, including Reps. Al Green (Texas), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (N.Y.), Ayanna Pressley (Mass.), Maxine Waters (Calif.), Bennie Thompson (Miss.), Bobby Rush (Ill.), Steve Cohen (Tenn.), Earl Blumenauer (Ore.), Hank Johnson (Ga.) and Frederica Wilson (Fla.).
Rep. Ocasio-Cortez stated earlier in the day, “After much deliberation, I have decided that I will not use my presence at a state ceremony to normalize Trump’s lawless conduct & subversion of the Constitution. None of this is normal, and I will not legitimize it. Consequently, I will not be attending the State of the Union.”
While everyone didn’t boycott, there were a couple that attended the State of the Union and ended up walking out in the middle of it. Reps. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (N.J.), Tim Ryan (Ohio), and Rashida Tlaib (Mich.) said they walked out during Trump’s speech.
“The lies, the bigotry, and the shameless bragging about taking away food stamps that people depend on to live—it was all beneath the dignity of the office he occupies,” Tlaib tweeted. “Shame on this forever, impeached president.”
