Cleo Fields

WASHINGTON — Louisiana’s two Democratic U.S. House members — Rep. Troy Carter Sr., of New Orleans, and Rep. Cleo Fields, of Baton Rouge — plan to sit stoically in the chamber when President Donald Trump gives his State of the Union address Tuesday, unlike some other members of their party.

At least two dozen Democratic representatives and senators have announced that they plan to instead attend two “counter events” — or just not show up to the annual briefing to Congress as outlined in the U.S. Constitution.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., told the 214-member Democratic delegation to do as they please, but he would sit in “silent defiance” as President Donald Trump runs through GOP accomplishments and desires.

“It’s my view that you don’t let anyone ever run you off of your block,” Jeffries told reporters.

Fields and Carter, Louisiana’s only Democratic members, said they would join Jeffries.

“While I strongly disagree with President Trump and his administration’s policies, my oath to uphold the Constitution requires that I show up, exercise oversight, and fulfill my responsibility under our system of checks and balances,” Carter said Friday.

The Department of Homeland Security has been shut down for a week and could still be come Tuesday. Democrats have refused to appropriate funding to DHS until Republicans agree to restrictions on how the agency’s agents enforce immigration laws. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, which handles disaster relief, and the Transportation Security Administration, which checks passengers at airports, are both part of Homeland Security and are closed, though much of their personnel are required to work without pay.

The Democratic base has been demanding elected officials take a stronger stance against Trump and Republican policies that have largely been approved as the GOP holds majorities in Congress and on the U.S. Supreme Court.

MoveOn, a progressive advocacy group, and MeidasTouch, a progressive media group, are hosting “counterprogramming” on the National Mall near the Capitol as Trump gives his State of the Union speech. About a dozen Democratic members of Congress have said they will attend.

Other Democrats have said they will go to a “State of the Swamp” event at the National Press Club.

Still others, such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., say they plan to just skip the speech.

Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, R-N.Y., announced that Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger would give the official Democratic response after Trump concludes. U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., will deliver the Democratic response in Spanish.

Because the speech is so high-profile and televised on most networks, disruptions often occur.

Last year, Democratic Rep. Al Green, a Louisiana native who represents parts of Houston, interrupted Trump yelling, “You have no mandate to cut Medicaid!” House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Benton, had Green removed.

During the 2023 State of the Union, then Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., interrupted President Joe Biden, calling him a “liar.”

The address begins at 8 p.m. and is available on major television stations and streaming platforms.