Speaker Johnson Criticizes Democratic Boycott; Spanberger to Deliver Response

In Brief

Speaker Johnson condemned planned Democratic boycott of Trump's State of the Union; Spanberger will deliver Democratic response.

Key Facts

• House Speaker Mike Johnson criticized Democrats planning to boycott President Trump's State of the Union address.
• Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger was chosen to deliver the Democratic response to Trump's State of the Union.
• Johnson urged lawmakers to maintain decorum and dignity during the State of the Union event.
• Johnson stated, "We play for one team" and emphasized unity ahead of the address.
• Johnson discussed various policy issues, including trade, immigration, and tensions with Iran, in a CBS interview.

What Happened

House Speaker Mike Johnson publicly criticized Democratic lawmakers who plan to boycott President Trump's State of the Union address, urging decorum and unity. Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger will deliver the Democratic response following the president's speech.

Why It Matters

The planned boycott and responses highlight partisan divisions in Congress during a high-profile national event. The Democratic response, led by Spanberger, offers an alternative perspective to the president's message and underscores ongoing debate over key policy issues.