For Democrats, who sat on the other side of the chamber, it was an awkward few minutes. What began with lawmakers sitting respectfully in silence as Trump extolled Limbaugh — a deeply polarizing figure long criticized for racist and anti-gay stances — eventually grew less restrained, as several Democrats groaned audibly and exclaimed “oh no.”
But unlike Trump’s recent campaign rallies, Democrats were there to weigh in — and did so loudly.
“The president did three things tonight: he proved he could read from a teleprompter, he lied through his teeth and he further divided the country,“ said Rep. David Cicilline (D-R.I.). “And then to have this bizarre presentation of a Medal of Freedom to talk show host, the awarding of a scholarship and then the re-unification of a service member with his family. It was a very strange.”
At one point in his speech, Trump called on Congress to send him a health care package: “Get a bill on my desk and we will sign it into law.”
Democrats responded instantly, holding up three fingers — a nod to H.R. 3, the caucus’ bill to allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices. Then they began chanting, „HR 3, HR 3, HR 3“ so loudly that Trump himself was forced to pause for several moments as he waited for the chamber to quiet down.
Later in the speech, Trump vowed to “always protect your Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms,” and a man in the public gallery shouted back at Trump. The man, Fred Guttenberg, lost a daughter in the 2018 shooting in Parkland, Fla. — and had been a guest of Pelosi’s. He was quickly escorted out as Pelosi appeared to gesture angrily.
And some Democrats simply chose to walk out.
Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) and Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), left the chamber moments after Trump touted Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, whose nomination was pushed through despite allegations of sexual assault by multiple women and over the fierce objections of Democrats. Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said he only attends because he believes as a member of leadership, he has to show respect to the office.
On some issues, however, the reaction was more mixed, with small numbers of Democrats joining in with Republicans to applaud for Trump.
“We will never let socialism destroy American healthcare!” Trump declared to thundering applause from the GOP side.
More than a dozen Democrats also stood up, nearly all in districts where Trump won in 2016, including Reps. Max Rose of New York, Abigail Spanberger of Virginia, Elissa Slotkin of Michigan and Angie Craig of Minnesota.
Many of those same Democrats — including Spanberger, Rose and Slotkin — also stood to applaud as Trump announced the newest branch of the military: Space Force. Behind them, though, multiple Democrats chuckled.
There was also evidence of some of the unexpected legislative victories that Trump and Democratic leaders have managed despite intense personal feuding between the parties: standing ovations for paid family leave, criminal justice reform and efforts to combat the opioid epidemic.
And even Pelosi signaled her willingness to work with Trump when she can — and to fight when necessary.
“We always extend a hand of friendship,“ Pelosi told reporters afterwards. „If he rejects it, that’s up to him.“
John Bresnahan, Melanie Zanona, Marianne LeVine and Andrew Desiderio contributed to this report.
Source: politico.com
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