Lawmakers and activists alike gathered near the Capitol on Feb. 24 to boycott President Donald Trump’s State of the Union Address, inviting Americans from across the country to share how they were impacted by the administration’s recent policies.
Hundreds gathered on the National Mall for the “People’s State of the Union” organized by MoveOn Civic Action and MeidasTouch and hosted by independent journalists Katie Phang and Joy Reid. Thirty-five lawmakers, including Senators Chris Murphy, Ed Markey and Jeff Merkley, declined the invitation to the president’s address, choosing to attend the protest instead and citing growing concern over the administration’s recent policies on healthcare, immigration and affordability.
“We live in a country where we have one reality for everyday people and another for the rich and the well-connected and the well-protected,” Rep. Summer Lee, D-Pa., said.
The event ran concurrently with President Trump’s State of the Union Address, which, at one hour and 48 minutes, was the longest in history. Trump also celebrated “the golden age of America,” calling it a turnaround for the ages.
“Our border is secure, our spirit is restored, inflation is plummeting, incomes are rising fast, the roaring economy is roaring like never before and our enemies are scared,” he said.
But the speakers across the street felt differently. Most lawmakers brought speakers onstage with them to share their concerns over the Trump administration’s handling of the Epstein files, financial strains, immigration raids and ICE agents’ excessive use of violence and deception.
Representative Gregorio Casar brought recent retiree Jill Kordick on stage, the first of many speakers to share affordability concerns. After Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act cut $1 trillion in funding to healthcare programs across the country, Kordick’s yearly insurance premiums increased from $900 to nearly $10,000.
“Affordability looks very different today,” Kordick said. “Honestly, I am making choices to defer health care, just all in great fiscal caution.”
Lawmakers and storytellers spoke interchangeably for three and a half hours while supporters braced the 30-degree weather. They held homemade signs calling for immigration reform, government transparency, LGBTQ+ rights and worker protections — raising them overhead and chanting “Abolish ICE” and “Release the files” between speeches.
In a press release the next morning, MoveOn described the event as people-centered, focused on concerns such as affordability, dignity and democracy. It was also recorded as the largest organized boycott against the State of the Union Address ever, garnered over four million views across online streaming services.
Samantha Paulino, a senior in the School of Communications, passed out signs to people watching the event. As a first-generation student, she described Trump’s immigration policies as both inhumane and close to home.
“It’s horrible and obscene,” Paulino said. “He should have been impeached a long time ago.”
Paulino also referenced the Epstein files, saying it was concerning to have to protest against pedophilia in the White House. As a student preparing to graduate, she said it can feel like entering a dark and uncertain world, but seeing people come together and continue fighting for one another gives her hope.
Kelly Donovan, from Annapolis, Md., was there to support survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes as well. She held a sign that read “Pedophile protectors are in the White House!!”
“I think that women’s rights are being destroyed by this government,” Donovan said. “I think the way that they’re treating the files is just emblematic of the problems we have in this country.”
Bundled in a thick coat, a bright blue knit hat and oversized mittens, Donovan held her massive sign over her head with a smile on her face. Despite her grievances with the government, she was happy to be there.
“I find all the people that show up to these events very inspiring because they’re all out here on a cold night when we could be home doing something else, but we’re out here standing up for everyone’s rights,” she said.
This article was edited by Gabrielle McNamee, Payton Anderson and Walker Whalen. Copy editing done by Avery Grossman, Mattie Lupo and Ava Stuzin. Fact-checking done by Andrew Kummeth.
