Congress

Democratic Leaders Weren’t Happy With the Distractions During Trump’s Joint Address

Leaders told Democrats they needed to make the American people the story of their Trump opposition. Their Trump opposition became the story.

Hakeem Jeffries

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries conducts his weekly news conference in the Capitol. Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call via AP

By Daniella Diaz and Reese Gorman

March 5, 2025 12:33 PM

When Democrats made it clear they wanted to protest President Donald Trump’s joint address, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries had some simple guidelines: No distractions, don’t become the story.

“He was adamant to keep the focus on the American people,” a person familiar with his words told NOTUS.

But two Texas Democrats, Al Green and Greg Casar, had a different idea.