Congressional Black Caucus Members Protest Trump’s Address to Congress Through Walkouts and Boycotts
Washington, D.C. – President Donald Trump’s address to Congress on Tuesday was met with significant protest from members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), who voiced their dissent through walkouts, boycotts, and vocal interruptions. Several members of the CBC departed the House chamber during the speech, while others chose not to attend altogether, signaling their deep dissatisfaction with the former president and his policies.
Representative Yvette Clarke of New York, chairwoman of the CBC, expressed her sentiments shortly after leaving the chamber, describing Trump’s address as a "MAGA fest" and a "MAGA rally" taking place within the House. Clarke stated she was already familiar with Trump’s usual rhetoric and did not feel the need to remain present for the entire speech.
Clarke, along with other CBC members who exited the House chamber, participated in an online program titled "State of the People," a 24-hour livestream event organized to counter Trump’s address. This alternative broadcast featured discussions on administration policies deemed harmful by civil rights leaders, Democrats, and grassroots activists, who encouraged viewers to skip Trump’s speech and tune into their livestream instead. Some CBC members also engaged in conversations with Mark Thompson of the National Newspaper Publishers Association as they left the House chamber prematurely.
Representative Jasmine Crockett of Texas explained her decision to initially attend the address, citing her desire to occupy the space that her ancestors had fought for. However, she also expressed her intention to leave the chamber as a form of protest. Crockett told viewers, “I wanted to make sure that the space that my ancestors bled and died for that I occupied that space, but I also got the privilege to walk the hell out of it. That’s exactly what we did so that he could have those empty seats.” She added that she wanted to stand in defiance and turn her back on Trump, just as he had allegedly turned his back on the Constitution and the laws of the country.
The protests were not limited to walkouts. Representative Al Green of Texas was escorted out of the chamber after interrupting Trump early in the address, shouting, "You don’t have a mandate." Following Green’s removal, other CBC members stood up and walked out in solidarity.
Representative Maxwell Frost of Florida emphasized the power of the CBC despite being in the minority, stating, "When you don’t have all the power you want use all the power you’ve got. And we do have power because there’s only a two-seat majority in the House and we have the ability to obstruct, to delay, to push back on this extreme agenda that most people don’t believe in.” Frost highlighted the CBC’s ability to influence legislative outcomes due to the narrow Republican majority in the House.
The Congressional Black Caucus, comprised entirely of Democrats, represents a significant voting bloc within the Republican-controlled Congress. Their collective actions underscore their opposition to Trump’s policies and their commitment to advocating for their constituents’ interests.
Representative Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, who also walked out of the address, criticized Trump’s approach to governing, stating, "We cannot normalize this. This man has no respect for Congress. He does not respect us as a co-equal branch of government. He has contempt for the American people. He pardoned January Sixers, who desecrated the very well that we’re in today.” Pressley’s remarks reflected a broader concern among CBC members about Trump’s disregard for democratic institutions and norms.
Not all members of the CBC participated in the protests. Lisa Blunt Rochester, a newly elected Democratic senator from Delaware, chose to remain present during the address as a form of resistance. “This is our House. We’re not leaving,’’ she said. “You’re going to look me right in the eye and say these things. We are going to then take our power and act…Now, the real work begins.” Rochester’s decision to stay and confront Trump directly underscored her commitment to fighting for her constituents’ interests from within the system.
The protests by members of the Congressional Black Caucus highlight the deep divisions that persist in American politics and the ongoing struggle for racial justice and equality. The walkouts, boycotts, and vocal interruptions served as a powerful statement of dissent against Trump’s policies and rhetoric, while the alternative livestream event provided a platform for voices often marginalized in mainstream political discourse. The differing approaches taken by CBC members, from walking out to staying and confronting, illustrate the diversity of strategies employed in the pursuit of political change. The event signifies a pivotal moment in the ongoing dialogue surrounding race, power, and representation in American democracy, underscoring the critical role of the Congressional Black Caucus in advocating for the interests of their communities and holding those in power accountable. The actions and words of these elected officials resonate with ongoing debates about the direction of the country and the fundamental principles that underpin its democratic ideals.
