Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger delivered the official Democrat response to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address on February 24. But lawmakers held at least five rallies reacting to and protesting his remarks, including a “State of the Swamp” rally and a “People’s State of the Union.”
Many speakers reacted unfavorably to immigration and tariff policies, attacked Department of Government Efficiency cuts in spending, or said the president would give a dishonest representation of the country.
With more than 70 legislators boycotting the president’s address, here are a few memorable moments from the protest rallies they participated in, along with some highlights from Gov. Spanberger’s official response.
State of the Swamp Rally
At the same time that the president was giving his speech to Congress, a four-hour State of the Swamp rally took place at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.
Attendees were addressed by Democrat statespersons such as Reps. Eugene Vinman (VA) andJason Crowe (CO), New York congressional candidate George Conway, and former Georgia State Minority Leader Stacey Abrams.
Miles Taylor, who served for a short time in the first Trump administration as Chief of Staff at the Department of Homeland Security under Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, organized the eventthrough his organization DEFIANCE.org.
Taylor encouraged the audience, saying, “Laugh … if it’s funny. If it’s not, boo him off the stage.… We’re going to get a lot of energy in this room.”
He then introduced his co-hosts, the Portland Frog Brigade, explaining their significance to the uninformed:
Portland Frogs Defy Authoritarianism With Ribbits and Dancing
Portland Congresswoman Maxine Dexter spoke at the State of the Swamp rally, describing the city’s response as the National Guard was deployed there to address violent protests against the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers:
In a show of solidarity with the Brigade, many attendees wore frog headgear.
Activists actors like Mark Ruffalo, Robert De Niro and Robby Roadsteamer — dressed in his signature giraffe onesie — also spoke at the rally, calling on citizens to engage in politics and speaking out against the loss of freedom of speech in America.
Roadsteamer said he was arrested for protesting ICE and singing songs with witty lyrics like, “Hey Mister Tangerine Man, get rid of brown people for me, I’m Aryan white, there ain’t no place I’m going to.”
People’s State of the Union Rally on the National Mall
Activist groups MoveOn and Meidas Touch News sponsored a second rally with even more legislators attending.
As reported by Politico, “A few hundred people braved the cold to gather on the National Mall for a ‘People’s State of the Union,’ joining about three dozen Democratic members of Congress who are boycotting Donald Trump’s address.”
MoveOn Executive Director Katie Bethell explained the reason for the rally:
Bethel went on to describe “the thousands of people who are afraid every day because of ICE roaming their streets” and “the millions of people who’ve lost their healthcare on his watch.”
Independent journalists Joy Reid, of the Joy Reid Show, and Katie Phang, of the Katie Phang News Channel, hosted the event. Reid told the crowd, “We are both exes of the artist formerly known as MSNBC. We are so excited to be here.”
WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 24: Attorney and political commentator Katie Phang (L) and journalist Joy Reid (R) host the People’s State Of The Union Rally And Boycott Outside The Capitol on the National Mall on February 24, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for MoveOn)
The event lasted more than three hours, featuring speakers like Senators Jeff Merkley (OR), Adam Schiff (CA), Chris Murphy (CT) and Ruben Gallego (AZ).
Murphy was interrupted by a protestor yelling, “Go Trump! Go Trump!” before security rushed him off the stage.
Sen. Markey (MA) was introduced by Reid as “the author of the Green New Deal.” He thanked the rather subdued crowd and then gave a memorable description of the president’s address to Congress, saying:
Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA), Yassamin Ansari (AZ), Ayanna Pressley (MA), and Greg Casar (TX) also spoke.
Governor Abigail Spanberger’s Official Rebuttal
The governor spoke from Colonial Williamsburg, VA, asking Americans three questions:
• Is the president working to make life more affordable for you and your family?
• Is the president working to keep Americans safe both at home and abroad?
• Is the president working for you?
WILLIAMSBURG, VIRGINIA – FEBRUARY 24: Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger delivers the Democratic response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address on February 24, 2026 in Williamsburg, Virginia. Spanberger is serving in her first year as governor and is the first woman to hold the position in the Commonwealth of Virginia. (Photo by Mike Kropf/Getty Images)
Her speech explained that the answer to all three questions was “No,” adding:
Like those who spoke at the alternative rallies, she decried the administration’s immigration policies, saying:
Governor Spanberger attacked the president’s foreign policy and the downsizing of federal agencies. She accused President Trump of “enriching himself, his family, his friends,” adding:
Spanberger concluded by touting Democrat victories in Virginia, New Jersey and other states and encouraged listeners “to unite in a common cause to move this nation forward.”
Related articles and resources:
‘Everyday Americans’ Honored at Address to Congress
First Lady Welcomes Foster and Adoptive Families to the White House
President Trump: “No state can be allowed to rip children from their parents’ arms”
What to Expect From Trump’s State of the Union Address
Photos from Getty Images and YouTube “State of the Swamp: A Night of Defiance.”
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