Rep. Clyburn Urges Democrats to Avoid Disruptions During Trump’s Congressional Address

Rep. Clyburn Urges Democrats to Avoid Disruptions During Trump’s Congressional Address

Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., expressed concerns during a Tuesday interview about potential disruptions from Democrats during President Donald Trump’s speech to Congress. He emphasized that such actions would benefit the president rather than express dissent.

During a conversation with CNN host Kate Bolduan, Clyburn responded to her query regarding the desires of constituents as they relate to potential disruptions. He stated, “I think it will play into the president’s hands. I would hope we would not have disruptions. Have demonstrations, you can demonstrate. You know, I‘m a product of the ’60s. I believe sit-ins were very effective. I have advocated us sitting in tonight, go, everybody show up. Get in your seats. And when he‘s introduced, sit in.”

Clyburn urged fellow Democrats to resist the urge to create noisy spectacles or protests that might distract from their message. Instead, he proposed, “Don’t demonstrate into his hands. But illustrate how displeased we are with this administration. And I believe that we could do that by sitting on our hands, rather than playing into his hands.”

Democratic Strategy Takes Center Stage

According to Axios, some progressive Democrats considered strategies that ranged from walkouts to using noisemakers in an attempt to disrupt Trump’s address. More moderate suggestions included carrying egg cartons to symbolize high costs, wielding protest signs, and coordinating outfits to visually convey their message.

One lawmaker, speaking to Axios, observed, “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.” This sentiment underlines a significant divide within the Democratic Party regarding how best to oppose the president’s agenda during this highly publicized address.

Leadership Cautions Against Major Outbursts

Democratic leaders reinforced the need for measured responses in recent closed-door meetings, insisting that civil protests should be prioritized. Many argued that loud and disruptive actions would only serve to strengthen Trump’s position and narrative.

Another lawmaker highlighted the complexities of their constituents’ views, stating, “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.” This acknowledgment reflects the balancing act between advocating for constituents’ desires and maintaining a cohesive party strategy.

Anticipation Surrounds Trump’s Address to Congress

President Trump is set to address Congress on Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET, a forum that is not officially classified as a State of the Union address. Traditionally, such speeches occur in the later years of a presidency.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., extended the invitation to Trump earlier this month, setting the stage for a divisive evening. Some Democrats, like Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., have opted for alternative approaches, announcing their intention to boycott the president’s address in favor of holding a prebuttal.

Murphy stated, “I think that State of the Union speech is going to be a farce. I think it’s going to be a MAGA pep rally, not a serious talk to the nation.” His critical perspective highlights the distrust many Democrats feel towards the president’s messaging and the potential implications for his supporters.

Prebuttal Plans and Livestreamed Responses

Senator Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, will join Murphy for their planned prebuttal, which aims to offer an alternative narrative to the president’s message during the address. This prebuttal will be livestreamed, ensuring that their counterpoint is available in real time.

Additionally, Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va., announced his decision to skip the address, indicating that some members of Congress are taking a firm stand against the president’s appeal.

Assessing the Atmosphere in Congress

As the evening approaches, tensions continue to simmer among lawmakers. With differing strategies and varying levels of enthusiasm for confrontation or cooperation, the Democratic struggle to unify their approach illustrates broader challenges within the party.

Clyburn’s advocacy for a strategic, non-disruptive approach aims to cultivate a message rooted in civility rather than chaos. He expressed hope that this method could effectively demonstrate dissatisfaction without playing into the president’s narrative.

A Path Forward for Congressional Democrats

Looking ahead, navigating the landscape of political discourse will remain vital for Democrats. As they contend with differing opinions on how to articulate their opposition, striking a balance between expression and decorum will be essential.

Ultimately, this Congressional address presents an opportunity for Democrats. They can utilize their responses to advocate for their constituents’ concerns while crafting a united front against the policies they oppose.

This report is based on contributions from Fox News’ Anders Hagstrom and Aubrie Spady.