Democrats’ dilemma has been on full display this week as they struggle with how to respond to Trump 2.0.
As President Trump addressed Congress and the nation from the House chamber Tuesday, some Democrats waved angry signs, others sat on their hands, some walked out and still others boycotted altogether. Rep. Al Green of Texas stood and waved his cane angrily until the sergeant-at-arms escorted him out of the chamber.
Democrats refused to applaud even a cancer-stricken child Mr. Trump deputized as an honorary Secret Service agent or a teen who the president announced would be accepted into the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
The next day, Democrats said they had no misgivings about their chilly reception to the everyday Americans Mr. Trump showcased, regardless of their tragic or uplifting stories.
“There wasn’t no bipartisan moments yesterday. We’re looking at a fascist takeover,” said Rep. Summer Lee of Pennsylvania.
Asked about Devarjaye “D.J.” Daniel, a 13-year-old brain cancer survivor whom Mr. Trump made an honorary Secret Service agent, Ms. Lee said: “What about the fascists?”
SEE ALSO: House Republicans forge ahead with censure of Rep. Al Green for heckling Trump
Rep. Delia Ramirez of Illinois said an ovation for anyone during the speech would be like “standing with Donald Trump, and we just could not stand to do that.”
The congresswoman said Mr. Trump’s celebration of D.J. only highlighted the president’s evil plot against Americans’ health.
“This is the same guy that’s actually defunding cancer research. It’s like the dissonance in that moment is so real,” she said. “You’re actually putting a young, little Black boy who is a cancer survivor in front of you as you’re saying, ‘And I’m going to defund cancer research.’ It is so hypocritical.”
Americans overwhelmingly applauded Mr. Trump’s speech, which delivered yet another rebuke to Democrats after voters soundly rejected them in November.
A CBS News/YouGov poll found that 76% of viewers approved of Mr. Trump’s speech and 23% disapproved. Most viewers, 51%, were Republican, 27% were independent and 20% were Democrat, according to the survey.
Mr. Trump predicted Democrats’ behavior at the start of his speech.
SEE ALSO: Karoline Leavitt says Democrats’ actions at Trump’s address disrespected Americans
“These people sitting right here will not clap, will not stand and certainly will not cheer for these astronomical achievements,” he said.
His guests snubbed by Democratic lawmakers included:
• Jason Hartley, a teenager who dreamed of carrying on the family legacy of military service after his father, a Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy, was killed. Mr. Trump made his dream come true by announcing his acceptance to West Point.
• Marc Fogel, who was taken prisoner by Russia in 2021 and released in a deal Mr. Trump made shortly after taking office. He was seated in the House chamber with his 95-year-old mother, Malphine Fogel, who last year personally pleaded with Mr. Trump to fight for her son’s release.
• Allyson and Lauren Philips, the mother and sister of Laken Riley, a 22-year-old Georgia nursing student killed by an illegal immigrant gang member from Venezuela. The Laken Riley Act was the first bill Mr. Trump signed into law this year. It mandates the federal detention of illegal immigrants who are accused of theft, burglary, assaulting a law enforcement officer, and any crime that causes death or serious bodily injury.
• Alexis Nungaray, the mother of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray, the victim in a brutal killing near Houston. Two illegal immigrants from Venezuela are charged with capital murder in his death. Mr. Trump announced that a national wildlife refuge would be named after Jocelyn, who loved animals and was passionate about ensuring they had homes.
Republican lawmakers were taken aback that the depths of Democrats’ disdain for Mr. Trump extended to the young cancer survivor and heartbroken parents of slain children.
“I think it’s an embarrassment,” said Rep. Michael Lawler, New York Republican. “Frankly, the Democratic leadership should be really embarrassed by what they allowed to occur by their members.”
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called the Democrats’ behavior — including the booing of the president, Mr. Green’s ranting and the snubbing of everyday Americans — “completely disgraceful.”
She said the president’s address to Congress was “supposed to be a unifying moment for our country.”
“Last night was a very clarifying moment for our country,” Ms. Leavitt said at the White House press briefing. “The Democrats expose themselves as the party of insanity and hate the party that wants to put America last. They’ve allowed their Trump derangement syndrome to stop them from celebrating America and our people, and we will not allow them to forget that.”
House Minority Whip Katherine Clark, Massachusetts Democrat, lashed out at Republicans for the scolding.
“They are clapping for devastating cancer research, Alzheimer’s research, diabetes research, in order to give tax cuts to billionaires,” she said. “So let’s not talk about decorum when the plot is exposed and reiterated every single day. You take people’s health care. You take our veterans benefits, you take funding for our public schools, and give a tax cut to the very wealthiest people who won’t even notice it.”
Mr. Green faces a formal House rebuke Thursday for his cane-waving outburst, interrupting Mr. Trump’s speech with shouts of, “You have no mandate!”
The House will take up a censure resolution by Rep. Dan Newhouse, Washington Republican, who cited Mr. Green’s “breach of proper conduct.”
Any member can trigger a vote on a censure resolution under House rules.
Mr. Green said he would not fight any effort to punish him.
“I’m willing to suffer whatever punishment is available to me,” he told reporters after he was ejected from the House chamber. “It’s worth it to let people know that there are some of us who are going to stand up to this president’s desire to cut Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security.”
• Lindsey McPherson contributed to this report.
