In a tense atmosphere on Tuesday night, President Donald Trump delivered a lengthy and controversial address to Congress, prompting a notable exit by many Democratic lawmakers. While Trump spoke about tariffs, job cuts, and his administration’s policies, several California Democrats were quick to voice their discontent, leaving the chamber early in protest.
Strong Reactions from California Democrats
The reactions from Democratic representatives were swift and intense. Rep. Sara Jacobs from San Diego called the speech “horrible and disgusting.” She wasn’t alone in her sentiments. Rep. Dave Min of Costa Mesa remarked, “My blood’s boiling right now,” while Rep. Mark Takano from Riverside accused Trump of wanting to “divide America.”
Rep. Brad Sherman, who has attended nearly three decades of these addresses, pointed out, “This is by far the most partisan speech I’ve seen. There were no lines where both sides stood and clapped.” Democrats left the speech feeling disillusioned and frustrated, with many saying they didn’t hear anything that warranted applause.
Concerns Over Economic Policies
Jacobs, in her critique, focused heavily on Trump’s economic message. She questioned how he could claim that “America’s back” while simultaneously picking fights with allies and firing experts who deal with critical issues like avian flu. “His tariffs will raise grocery prices, gas prices, and the cost of building materials,” Jacobs warned.
Min echoed these concerns, saying, “What I really didn’t hear was any economic message at the end of the day, other than a few lies about how well the economy is doing.” This sentiment seemed to resonate with many Democrats who felt that Trump’s economic policies would hurt more than help.
Walkouts and Social Media Backlash
As tensions rose, several Democrats decided they’d had enough. Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove of Los Angeles left partway through the speech, along with a group of progressives, after witnessing Rep. Maxwell Frost from Florida being removed for wearing a sweater that read, “No King Lives Here.” Kamlager-Dove expressed her frustration on social media, stating, “There’s only so much bulls— a person can tolerate.”
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung didn’t hold back in his response, dismissing Kamlager-Dove’s relevance by saying she was “as relevant as a used Zyn pouch.”
Other Democrats who walked out included Reps. Norma Torres and Eric Swalwell. Rep. Zoe Lofgren from San Jose was spotted reading a newspaper during part of the address before stepping out but later returned, according to her staff.
Voices of Concern in the Gallery
Democrats didn’t just voice their concerns from the floor; they also brought guests to highlight the impact of Trump’s policies. Many California representatives invited people directly affected by potential cuts to programs like Medicaid. For instance, Reps. Nancy Pelosi and Mark DeSaulnier brought mothers whose children depend on Medicaid.
Pelosi, who famously tore up Trump’s State of the Union speech two years ago, labeled the president’s latest address as a “manifesto of mistruths.” She stated, “All across America, people are feeling the pain of President Trump’s policies at their kitchen tables.”
Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff also brought guests who highlighted the human impact of Trump’s policies. Padilla brought a fire captain from Los Angeles, while Schiff invited a 25-year veteran firefighter. Padilla described Trump’s address as “horrible,” reflecting a broad consensus among Democrats in attendance.
Veterans Speak Out Against Cuts
Some representatives brought veterans who were recently laid off due to budget cuts. Rep. Sam Liccardo from San Jose invited Daniel Sandecki, a disabled combat veteran who was terminated from his role as emergency manager for the Veterans Affairs Palo Alto health care system. “I wanted Donald Trump to see the face of someone who suffered the impacts from his policies,” Liccardo stated.
Sandecki later shared that he had received news from human resources that his termination was rescinded, saying, “I basically obtained my dream job after working about 15 years to build the training experience.” His story highlighted a misconception about government workers, which he aimed to dispel.
Rep. Takano also brought a guest, David Pasquino, who was laid off from his job as an IT recruiting manager for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Takano emphasized the significance of this issue, saying, “This president has fired more veterans than any other president in history.”
California Republicans Embrace the Moment
While Democrats expressed their outrage and disappointment, California Republicans found an opportunity to connect with the president. Rep. Doug LaMalfa from Chico praised Trump’s delivery, saying, “He took all the gloves off when he really rocked it.” LaMalfa noted that the speech covered all the right topics, emphasizing that the audience responded positively, with many jumping out of their seats.
LaMalfa took the chance to speak with Trump directly about a local water issue, to which the president responded, “I’ll do it.” This interaction highlighted the divide in perception between the two parties regarding Trump’s presidency and policies.
Conclusion
As the night unfolded, it became clear that the divide between Democrats and Republicans remains stark. With Democrats walking out in protest and Republicans rallying behind the president, the evening illustrated the ongoing tensions in American politics. As Trump continues his presidency, the impact of his policies will undoubtedly be scrutinized from both sides of the aisle.
This story was produced as part of a partnership between NOTUS, a publication from the nonprofit, nonpartisan Allbritton Journalism Institute, and NEWSWELL, which includes outlets like Times of San Diego, Santa Barbara News-Press, and Stocktonia.
