A group of congressional Democrats intends to forgo attending President Donald Trump’s upcoming State of the Union address and instead take part in a “People’s State of the Union” rally on the National Mall. The event is being co-hosted by MoveOn, according to an announcement from the group.

Participating senators include Chris Murphy of Connecticut, Ed Markey of Massachusetts, Jeff Merkley of Oregon, Tina Smith of Minnesota, and Chris Van Hollen of Maryland. On the House side, those planning to attend the rally include Reps. Greg Casar of Texas, Yassamin Ansari of Arizona, Becca Balint of Vermont, Veronica Escobar of Texas, Pramila Jayapal of Washington, Delia Ramirez of Illinois, and Bonnie Watson Coleman of New Jersey.

Sen. Murphy, who has been mentioned as a potential 2028 presidential contender, said Trump has turned the annual address into a partisan event and argued Democrats are not obligated to attend. Sen. Markey similarly criticized the president, saying the speech should focus on accountability rather than what he described as political messaging.

The planned boycott follows prior disruptions during Trump’s addresses to Congress. In 2020, then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tore up a copy of Trump’s speech after he concluded his remarks. Last year, Rep. Al Green interrupted a congressional address and was removed from the chamber after refusing to comply with decorum rules enforced by House Speaker Mike Johnson.

President Trump said his upcoming address will highlight economic progress, including lower energy prices and easing inflation. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Consumer Price Index rose 2.4 percent over the past 12 months, down from 2.7 percent in December, while energy prices declined 1.5 percent in January.

The president is also expected to focus on border security and public safety, pointing to a decline in crime rates. Supporters argue the address will underscore policy gains, while participating Democrats say their rally will provide an alternative message.