SHORT TAKE: What the Democrats SHOULD Have Done at Trump's Inaugural "Rally"

By Jessie Seigel / March 5, 2025

During President Donald Trump's inaugural litany of lies, Texas Democratic Representative Al Green called out that Donald Trump does not have a mandate to cut Medicaid.

The Democrats knew that President Donald Trump would mouth lie after lie in his inaugural address, and that his obsequious Republican sycophants would, to a person, applaud and cheer his every word as directed.

But how did the Democrats choose to handle the event?

A number chose to boycott Trump's "pep rally." An understandable choice. Unfortunately, of those who chose to attend, their opposition was so anemic that they might just as well have stayed home.

Some brought guests who have been harmed by the Trump regime's actions during the last six weeks. But what use is bringing such guests if there is no platform on which to publicize them and the harm done to them? Only the president, as the speaker, has that power in this setting.

Some women wore pink to signal their stance on women's rights.

Many Democrats brought little round signs to hold up in order to silently call attention to Trump's lies and Musk's depravity.

Democrats counter to Trump's lies.

More silent Democratic opposition.

These efforts were ineffectual. Wearing symbolic pink adds nothing at this point. And if the Democrats had to depend on a dumb show use of signs, it would have been better to do so also sporting gags over their mouths. That would have made it clear they were being prevented from speaking out against the lies.

At one point early on, 77-year-old Texas Representative Al Green--the only Democrat with the nerve to speak up--stood and shouted to Trump, "You have no mandate to cut Medicaid." Green refused to sit down, and Speaker of the House Michael Johnson had him ejected from the chamber for "not maintaining decorum."

The Democrats in the chamber should have stood too, in solidarity and protest, thus forcing Johnson to have the Sargent-at-Arms remove the entire Democratic caucus that was in attendance. That would have shown the American people how UNDEMOCRATIC the entire Trump show is.

Unlike the Republican actions on January 6, 2021, this action would have constituted non-violent civil disobedience at worst. And considering the Republican embrace of the violent January 6 attackers, Johnson has no right to chide anyone about "decorum in the chamber."

The other missed opportunity to show the Democratic base a fighting spirit was highlighted by the exit of Florida Democratic Representative Maxwell Frost, who removed his coat to reveal, on the back of his black shirt, large white letters reading, “NO KINGS LIVE HERE."

Florida Democratic Representative Maxwell Frost walking out on Donald Trump's inaugural tirade.

If the Democrats understood how to fight this battle and properly organized, they would have joined Frost in placing that message--NO KINGS LIVE HERE-- on the back of their clothing, and remained in the chamber with their backs turned to Trump throughout his entire speech. That would have drawn media attention. And made quite clear the enormity of what the nation is up against.

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