Democratic lawmakers spent much of Tuesday discussing ways to disrupt President Donald Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress—floating ideas like the use of props and noisemakers, walkouts, or both.
Six Democrats told Axios they were considering an array of options to protest Trump’s speech, from holding up signs with anti-Trump or anti-DOGE messages to bringing empty egg cartons to highlight rising inflation. Noisemakers—like hand clappers—and a staged walkout were also among the ideas being kicked around.
“The part that we all agree on is that this is not business as usual and we would like to find a way—productively—to express our outrage,” a House Democrat told Axios.
The tactics go beyond recommendations by Democratic leaders Rep. Hakeem Jeffries and Sen. Chuck Schumer for members to bring special guests who were “harmed” by the Trump administration’s flurry of controversial moves over the past few weeks.
Democrats were urged not to make a scene or use props in a closed-door meeting with party leadership, several members told Axios—though it appears many are proceeding with the discussions anyways.
If they go ahead with their planned disruption, it would not be the first time props have been used in the Capitol.
Last year, Rep. Rashida Tlaib—the first Palestinian-American woman to be elected to Congress—raised a sign that read “war criminal” as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed a joint session of U.S. Congress.
The Michigan representative also wore a Palestinian flag pin and a keffiyeh, a black-and-white scarf that has become a symbol for the Palestinian cause. The House voted to censure her months later for her fierce criticism of Israel’s war in Gaza.
There has been widespread disagreement within the Democratic Party over how to effectively demonstrate against Trump’s speech.
Some members reportedly plan to walk out of the chamber when Trump makes statements they find objectionable, such as criticism of transgender children.
“There are definitely a lot of constituents that really want Democrats to disrupt and there are… constituents who feel like that just plays into his hands," one House Democrat told Axios.
Jeffries earlier said that he and other party leaders would attend Trump’s address to “make clear to the nation that there is a strong opposition party ready, willing and able to serve as a check and balance.” Some Democrats, however, have reportedly decided to skip the event altogether.
“Whether we are wearing pink, or black, or yellow and blue, we are all conveying our displeasure with this administration,” Rep. Stacey Plaskett said. “What’s more important is our work together and the pressure for three Republicans to do the right thing for everyone.”
The White House, however, appears unfazed by reports of possible disruptions by Democrats.
“I don’t think we’re worried about that,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in an interview on Fox and Friends Tuesday. “I think, frankly, the Democrats should think about if they should stand up in applause for some of the things President Trump will be talking about.”
“Democrats behaving like children would be the least surprising news of the night,” Leavitt added in a statement to Fox News Digital.
