Rather than supporting the Official State of the Union Address delivered to a joint session of Congress and the Democratic Response delivered by Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger, a coalition of progressive communist democrat organizations such as MoveOn.org and MeidasTouch are staging a counter event to the State of the Union address on the National Mall to coincide with Trump’s speech.
This Is Not “The People’s” Anything
On the very night the President of the United States stands before Congress to deliver the State of the Union, a coalition of progressive activists and allied lawmakers has chosen spectacle over statesmanship. Instead of engaging the substance of national policy, they are staging a counterprogramming rally branded as the “People’s State of the Union” — as if tens of millions of Americans who voted differently somehow don’t count as “the people.”
Let’s be clear: this isn’t civic engagement. It’s political theater.
The State of the Union is not a partisan pep rally. It is a constitutional moment — a formal address to Congress and the nation. It is an opportunity to debate ideas, challenge policies, and present alternative visions through established democratic channels. But walking out, boycotting, or staging a rival show on the same night is not debate. It’s a disruption designed for headlines and social media clips.
If the opposition believes the country is on the wrong track, they have microphones, press conferences, committee hearings, and campaign platforms at their disposal. They can respond — and they will. That’s how the system works. But deliberately attempting to overshadow a constitutionally mandated address signals something else entirely: an unwillingness to even participate in shared civic rituals.
Calling it the “People’s” State of the Union implies that the official address represents something illegitimate — as though the presidency itself is optional depending on who occupies it. That framing erodes trust in institutions. It tells Americans that election results are conditional. And that’s a dangerous message to send in a polarized era.
There is a difference between disagreement and delegitimization.
Robust opposition is healthy. Protests are protected. Dissent is foundational. But parallel programming designed to undercut a constitutional proceeding crosses from disagreement into spectacle politics. It may energize a base. It may generate trending hashtags. What it does not do is strengthen democratic norms.
The American people deserve better than dueling stages.
They deserve serious debate. Serious policy alternatives. Serious engagement. If leaders want to challenge the President’s record, they should do it directly — in the chamber, in official responses, in legislation, and at the ballot box.
Anything less looks more like performance than principle.
The Radical Progressive Communist Democrats
A number of progressive communist democrat lawmakers, such as Senators Adam Schiff (D-CA), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Tina Smith (D-MN), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Representatives. Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ), Becca Balint (D-VT), Greg Casar (D-TX), Veronica Escobar (D-TX), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Delia Ramirez (D-IL) and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), have decided to boycott the official event to side with radical communists.
Some of the radical progressive organizations include: American Federation of Teachers, Center for Popular Democracy, Climate Power, Common Defense, Economic Security Project Action, Families Over Billionaires, FWD.us, Free DC, Indivisible, Interfaith Alliance, National Education Association, Our Revolution, People Power United, Protect Our Care, Public Citizen, Social Security Works, Vera Action, Voto Latino, Win Without War.
Concentrating On Outrage, Ignoring Trump’s Accomplishments
Presented as a critique of the administration’s policies and priorities and giving voice to people and lawmakers who feel harmed or left out by current federal policy narratives, the group refuses to acknowledge the abject corruption of the Obama administration and the failure of the sham Biden Administration, or the accomplishments of the Trump administration, such as:
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Expanded Border Enforcement & Immigration Overhaul: Broad executive actions increasing deportations, tightening asylum standards, expanding expedited removal authority, and significantly reducing illegal border crossings, according to administration reporting. Immigration enforcement became the central domestic policy focus of the first year.
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Comprehensive Federal Government Restructuring & Regulatory Rollbacks: Large-scale reduction of federal regulations, workforce restructuring, agency consolidation efforts, and elimination of numerous prior administrative policies. Framed as a major government efficiency initiative.
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Tariff Expansion & Trade Realignment: New and expanded tariffs on imports from major trading partners, along with broader use of trade authorities to reshape supply chains and encourage domestic production. Trade policy again became a core economic lever.
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Termination of Federal DEI/DEIA Programs: Executive action ending diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility initiatives across federal agencies and directing compliance reviews throughout the executive branch.
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Withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement (Second Term): Formal withdrawal from U.S. participation in the international climate accord, signaling a renewed emphasis on domestic energy production over global emissions commitments.
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Energy & Environmental Regulatory Changes: Rollbacks of emissions standards and environmental restrictions, expansion of domestic oil and natural gas development, and regulatory adjustments favoring energy independence.
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Designation of Fentanyl as a Weapon of Mass Destruction: Federal classification intended to increase enforcement tools and penalties related to trafficking and distribution.
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Free Speech & Federal Censorship Policy Directives: Orders aimed at limiting federal involvement in content moderation and reinforcing First Amendment–focused guidance within federal agencies.
- Education Policy Directives: Executive actions targeting specific curriculum and ideological guidance in federally influenced education systems.
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Removal of Foreign Dictator & Regime Change Operation: U.S.-backed operation resulting in the removal of a hostile foreign authoritarian leader, followed by diplomatic recognition of a transitional authority. Framed by the administration as a decisive projection of American strength and a restoration of deterrence abroad.
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Major Peace Initiative & Conflict De-Escalation Efforts: Launch of high-profile diplomatic initiatives aimed at brokering ceasefires and expanding normalization agreements in conflict regions. Included renewed Middle East engagement and efforts to expand prior normalization frameworks.
Bottom Line
Counterprogramming the State of the Union doesn’t elevate debate — it cheapens it. You don’t strengthen democracy by staging rival spectacles or pretending only one side represents “the people.” You strengthen it by confronting arguments head-on, offering credible alternatives, and respecting the institutions that bind the country together. If the opposition truly believes it has a better vision, it should make its case in the arena of ideas — not from a competing stage built to undermine a constitutional moment.
We are being screwed.
— Steve
