Adam Schiff Vows To Boycott State Of The Union In Latest Rant: ‘This Is Not Normal’

Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA) announced in a recent video rant that he will be boycotting President Donald Trump’s upcoming State of the Union address, becoming the latest Democrat lawmaker to do so.

“Donald Trump is violating the law and Constitution. He is ignoring court orders, he is weaponizing the Justice Department to go after his enemies, he is letting loose ICE troops in our streets that are getting people killed,” Schiff ranted in a video statement posted to social media.

“I will not be attending the State of the Union. I’ve never missed one. I have always gone, both to inaugurations and to States of the Union, but we cannot treat this as normal,” the freshman senator continued. He added that he will instead be posted outside the building for the “People’s State Of The Union” hosted by progressive organization MoveOn and MeidasTouch, a far-left media outlet.

Schiff is not alone in his decision, as 21 fellow Democrats in the House and Senate have already announced that they will not be in attendance. Confirmed participants in the counter event include Schiff’s fellow Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Ed Markey (D-MA), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Tina Smith (D-MN).

A number of the more far-left members of the House are also expected to attend, while event organizers expect the number to grow.

Other Democrats are planning to attend a different counter-event dubbed “State of the Swamp” at the National Press Club. That event is set to be headlined by U.S. Reps. Eric Swalwell (D-CA), Dan Goldman (D-NY) and Senator Rob Wyden (D-OR). Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO) has also indicated that he will attend, though he will also attend the State of the Union.

A number of additional Democrats, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), have indicated that they will be skipping the president’s address.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) has advised attending Democrats to maintain “silent defiance” if present, while supporting those who choose alternative events or absences.

During Trump’s first term, Democrats boycotted his State of the Union addresses in protest of various policies. In 2018, at least 11 Democrats skipped the speech, while around 10 did the same in 2020.

Similar boycotts occurred for Trump’s inaugurations as well.