Democrats Appaling Actions and Responses During Trump’s Congress Address

Democrats boycotted the presidential escort committee and refused to stand for a 13-year-old cancer survivor during President Trump’s first joint address to Congress, drawing sharp criticism from Republicans and social media users.

Key Takeaways

Democratic leaders, including Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, refused to join the traditional escort committee for President Trump’s entrance to Congress as a form of protest.
During Trump’s recognition of 13-year-old brain cancer survivor DJ Daniel, most Democrats remained seated and did not applaud, prompting widespread criticism.
Rep. Al Green was removed from the chamber by the Sergeant at Arms after causing a disruption during the President’s address.
Democrats engaged in multiple forms of protest, including holding signs reading “NO KING,” “THAT’S A LIE,” and “This is NOT normal.”
Republican lawmakers and commentators condemned Democrats’ behavior as “pathetic,” “embarrassing,” and disrespectful to both the office of the presidency and a child battling cancer.

Democrats Boycott Escort Committee in Unprecedented Snub

In a break from longstanding tradition, Democratic congressional leaders refused to join the escort committee for President Donald Trump as he entered the chamber for his address to the joint session of Congress. When asked about the decision, a spokesperson for Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries simply stated, “It speaks for itself.” The escort committee, typically bipartisan, serves as a formal welcome for the President during such high-profile addresses.

Republican Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas did not mince words about the Democrats’ decision. “The Congressional Democrats appointed to the Escort Committee are boycotting President Trump’s speech. It’s pathetic. And embarrassing,” Cotton stated. Senate Republicans echoed this sentiment, saying, “The Congressional Dems who boycotted the Escort Committee for President Trump’s speech should be ashamed of themselves. They would rather throw tantrums than face reality that President Trump won.”

Democrats Remain Seated During Recognition of Cancer Survivor

During his address, President Trump recognized 13-year-old brain cancer survivor DJ Daniel, who had been made an honorary Secret Service agent. As the chamber erupted in applause for the young boy’s courage, cameras captured most Democratic lawmakers remaining seated and not applauding. This moment quickly became a flashpoint on social media, with many viewing the Democrats’ actions as putting politics above basic human decency. “A terminally ill child with brain cancer is given an honorary Secret Service award and the Democrats refuse to stand or clap for the child,” former Trump administration official Ric Grennell noted. The moment particularly resonated with Meghan McCain, whose father, Senator John McCain, died of brain cancer in 2018. “This is the first time I can remember crying during a state of the union. Thank you President Trump,” McCain wrote.

The democrats don't matter. They showed their true colors.

We stand with you, DJ Daniels. America stands behind you, little man. We are so proud of you. pic.twitter.com/LnB5ujiIKh

— Sassafrass84 (@Sassafrass_84) March 5, 2025

Congressman Removed After Disrupting Address

The tension in the chamber reached a boiling point when Democratic Representative Al Green of Texas loudly disrupted the President’s speech. After refusing to quiet down, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson called in the Sergeant at Arms to remove Green from the chamber. As Green was escorted out, Republican Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso of Wyoming could be heard shouting, “Sit down!”

The incident marked an escalation from other forms of protest Democrats employed during the address. Representative Rashida Tlaib displayed messages on a whiteboard reading “NO KING” and “THAT’S A LIE” in response to points in Trump’s speech. Over 20 House Democrats held signs with various messages opposing the President’s policies, while Democratic women coordinated to wear pink as a protest symbol.

Republicans and Commentators Condemn Democrats’ Behavior

The Democrats’ multiple forms of protest drew swift condemnation from Republicans and conservative commentators. Outkick founder Clay Travis summed up the sentiment of many when he tweeted, “Democrats refused to stand for the brain cancer surviving kid! How awful can one party be?” The failure to recognize DJ Daniel’s battle with cancer was particularly highlighted as crossing a line from political disagreement to personal disrespect.

Some Democratic representatives defended their actions. Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida explained the pink attire protest, saying, “We’re sending a message to Donald Trump that we’re not going to let him run over our women’s access to health care, to the care that is necessary for our families.” Representative Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, who walked out of the address, stated, “I could not in good conscience sit through this speech and give an audience to someone who operates with lawless disregard for Congress and the people of this nation.”

A Stark Display of Political Division

The events during President Trump’s address to Congress highlighted the deep political divisions that continue to define American politics. From the refusal to join the escort committee to the lack of applause for a cancer survivor to the physical removal of a representative, the evening served as a stark reminder of the challenges facing the nation in the coming years. While Democrats defended their actions as principled stands, Republicans and many observers viewed them as unnecessarily divisive and disrespectful to both the office of the presidency and to a brave young cancer survivor.