'Full of lies': Tina Smith to skip President Trump's 'long and boring' State of the Union address

U.S. Senator for Minnesota, Tina Smith, has joined a group of Democrats who have decided to skip President Donald Trump's State of the Union address on February 24. "I've been to Donald Trump's State of the Union Addresses, and I don't need to do it again. His speeches are full of lies, and he uses the occasion to pillory his perceived political enemies and pander to his billionaire donors," Smith said. 

Instead, Smith will be joining a dozen other Democratic lawmakers for a rally they have dubbed the "People's State of the Union." MoveOn Civic Action, one of the organisers of the rally, said it would be "counterprogramming President Trump's night full of lies and misplaced priorities for the American people," Newsweek reported. 

"I want courageous people like Brenda to share the reality of this Administration's lawlessness and violence at the People's State of the Union. It's time for us to have an honest discussion about how the Trump Administration is making it harder for people to afford the lives they want to live and feel safe in their neighborhoods," Smith said. Fridley Schools Superintendent Brendan Lewis recently spoke out about immigration enforcement in Minnesota and its impact on families and students.

"Brenda is an incredible example of how Minnesotans have organized and cared for their neighbors in the face of a violent federal police force. It's people like Brenda who have inspired the world with their bravery and dignity in standing up to bullies," Smith was quoted by Northern News Now as saying. The Minnesota Senator will be accompanied by a dozen other Democrats, including senators Ed Markey (Massachusetts), Jeff Merkley (Oregon), Chris Murphy (Connecticut), Patty Murray (Washington state), and House members Pramila Jayapal (Washington) and Yassamin Ansari (Arizona), among others. 

Ansari said she will bring a guest to the rally. "Last year, I walked out of President Trump's State of the Union because I refused to normalize the most corrupt and authoritarian administration in American history," she said adding, "This year, I am honored to be joined by Sonia, who has spent more than a year fighting for her loved one, Yari, who was stripped of her residency and imprisoned at the Eloy Detention Center, and is suffering from leukemia."

The White House has dismissed the boycott, with spokesperson Abigail Jackson saying, "It's not a surprise that they refuse to celebrate and honor the Americans who have benefited from the commonsense policies Republicans have governed with." In his State of the Union address, Trump is expected to tout his "America First" achievements over the past year while framing a response to the Supreme Court's recent decision striking down his 'Liberation Day' tariffs. Trump is also likely to make a public case for potential military intervention in Iran. The President’s address will be telecast live at 9:00 pm ET.