Pelosi Advises Democrats: "Let Trump Stew" During Congressional Address
Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has issued a strategic recommendation to her fellow Democrats as President Donald Trump prepares to address a joint session of Congress on Tuesday evening: maintain composure and avoid any visible displays of disagreement. Pelosi’s advice, delivered in an interview with the Washington Post, emphasizes a measured approach, urging Democrats to refrain from providing Trump with ammunition to paint them as disrespectful or disruptive.
"Let him stew in his own juice," Pelosi advised. "Any demonstration of disagreement, whether it’s visual or whatever, just let him stew in his own juice. Don’t be any grist for the mill to say this was inappropriate."
Trump’s address, scheduled for 9 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, marks his first formal appearance before Congress since returning to the Oval Office in January. While the speech shares similarities with the annual State of the Union address, it will not bear the same official title due to Trump’s recent return to the presidency. The content of the speech is expected to center on Trump’s signature "Make America Great Again" policies and outline the administration’s key priorities for the coming years.
Adding a layer of anticipation, Trump himself previewed the address on Monday morning via a Truth Social post, declaring, "TOMORROW NIGHT WILL BE BIG. I WILL TELL IT LIKE IT IS! TUNE IN: LIVE COVERAGE OF TRUMP’S ADDRESS TO CONGRESS TUESDAY NIGHT ON FOX NEWS."
Pelosi’s counsel to Democrats comes in the wake of her own controversial actions during Trump’s 2020 State of the Union address, when she famously tore up a copy of his speech while standing directly behind the president on the House dais. That act drew sharp criticism from conservatives, who accused her of disrespecting the office of the presidency.
Reflecting on the incident in her recent Washington Post interview, Pelosi explained her rationale. "I made little tears on each page when I disagreed with a comment from Trump," she said. "Then, when I saw that every page was a lie, I had to tear it up. Parchment is very hard to tear."
Beyond advocating for restraint during Trump’s address, Pelosi also offered guidance on how Democrats should approach the broader challenge of opposing Trump’s policies. She suggested that only those in safe congressional districts should engage in high-profile political battles with Trump and the Republican Party. This strategic approach aims to avoid a situation where a unified front of Democrats publicly clashes with Trump, potentially energizing his base and harming Democrats in more vulnerable districts.
Pelosi emphasized the importance of prioritizing and relying on the leadership of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to guide the party’s response. "The most important thing in all of this is to prioritize. And (House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries), he has that down. I have every confidence that he has that down," Pelosi said. "Again, members will say I want this, I want that. Yeah, that’s interesting, talk about that at home."
She further clarified that while she deemed her actions in 2020 appropriate given the circumstances, she believes that any similar displays of protest during Trump’s upcoming address should be carefully considered and strategically executed. "Unless you have something that is a moment," she told the Washington Post. "That’s what a moment was, when I tore up the speech."
Pelosi’s overall message to Democrats is to shift their focus away from the immediate challenges posed by Trump’s presidency and instead concentrate on building support for the party in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections. She underscored the importance of grassroots organizing and voter engagement in the months leading up to the election. "It’s not four years, it’s not even two years. It’s between March and September. Where are the numbers?" Pelosi said. "This fall is everything. And we only need three seats. I don’t want three seats, I want many more than that."
As of Monday morning, Fox News Digital had reached out to Pelosi’s office for further comment on her recommendations, but had not yet received a response.
Pelosi’s strategic advice highlights a significant debate within the Democratic Party regarding the most effective way to counter Trump and his policies. Some argue for a more confrontational approach, believing that it is necessary to aggressively challenge Trump’s rhetoric and hold him accountable. Others, like Pelosi, advocate for a more measured and disciplined strategy, focusing on building long-term support and avoiding actions that could be perceived as divisive or disrespectful.
The success of either approach will ultimately depend on a variety of factors, including the political climate, the effectiveness of Democratic messaging, and the ability of the party to mobilize its base and win over undecided voters. The coming months will undoubtedly be a crucial test for the Democratic Party as it navigates the challenges posed by Trump’s return to the White House.
