Democrats boycott State of the Union and hold rival events

More than two dozen Democrats skipped President Donald Trump's State of the Union and joined counter-events on the National Mall, where lawmakers and organizers spoke; a pro-Trump supporter briefly breached a barricade at one rally and was removed.

More than two dozen House and Senate Democrats chose not to attend President Donald Trump's State of the Union and instead took part in rival events on the National Mall. Organizers called one gathering the "People's State of the Union," and it was hosted by the advocacy group MoveOn and the progressive media company MeidasTouch. Lawmakers at the rallies criticized the administration's policies and referenced recent controversies and shootings. A pro-Trump supporter briefly breached a barricade at one rally and was pulled off the stage. Reported facts: - More than two dozen Democratic members of Congress did not attend the State of the Union and joined counterrallies on the National Mall. - The "People's State of the Union" event was hosted by MoveOn and MeidasTouch and included several senators and House Democrats speaking alongside guests. - A pro-Trump supporter broke through a barricade at one rally seeking to confront a speaker and was pulled off the stage. - Some Democrats remained inside the chamber for the address, while others pointed to the November midterm elections as the next planned political milestone. Summary: Opposition lawmakers used parallel events to register dissent rather than attend the presidential address, underscoring divisions in how to respond. The reported incidents at the rallies were contained at the scene. Members highlighted the upcoming November midterm elections as the next scheduled political milestone.