2026 State of the Union Address: Absences and Alternative Events
President Donald Trump is set to deliver a significant address to a joint session of Congress, with notable absences from lawmakers who oppose the White House. The 2026 State of the Union speech will commence at 9 p.m. EST, with Supreme Court justices, senior military leaders, and the U.S. men’s and women’s hockey teams in attendance. However, several Democratic senators and representatives, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Patty Murray, will boycott the event or watch it remotely. Sen. Chris Van Hollen will participate in an alternative People’s State of the Union event, while Sen. Adam Schiff will also skip the address for the same event. Sen. Ron Wyden will attend the “State of the Swamp” event, and Sen. Angus King will not be present at Trump’s speech. Sen. Chris Murphy, Sen. Tina Smith, Sen. Ed Markey, Sen. Jeff Merkley, and Sen. Ruben Gallego will attend the People’s State of the Union event. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez will not attend the state ceremony to protest Trump’s actions, while Rep. Jim Himes, Rep. John Larson, Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Rep. Chellie Pingree, Rep. Yassamin Ansari, Rep. Delia Ramirez, Rep. April McClain Delaney, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, Rep. Greg Casar, Rep. Veronica Escobar, Rep. Becca Balint, Rep. Pramila Jayapal, and Rep. Dina Titus will attend the People’s State of the Union event or watch from their offices. Rep. Eric Swalwell will attend the State of the Swamp event, Rep. Ami Bera expects Trump’s remarks to provoke both parties, Rep. Eugene Vindman will attend the State of the Swamp event, Rep. Don Beyer will meet with constituents, Rep. Jared Golden will watch from home, Rep. Sean Casten will not be in the Capitol chamber, and Rep. Becca Balint will attend the People’s State of the Union event.