Congress

Democrats Tried to Make Their Resistance About the Issues. It Became About Trump.

Democrats couldn’t help but protest Trump’s speech, despite leaders urging them not to fall into that trap.

Members of Congress hold up signs as Trump addresses a joint session of Congress.

Members of Congress hold up signs as Trump addresses a joint session of Congress. J. Scott Applewhite/AP

By Daniella Diaz, Calen Razor, Shifra Dayak and Samuel Larreal

March 5, 2025 12:00 AM

Democrats swore they weren’t going to make the president’s joint address to Congress about him. It happened anyway.

Despite their best efforts to keep their response focused on how President Donald Trump’s policies are affecting Americans, Democrats couldn’t help but make it about Trump Tuesday night.

But the president couldn’t help but make it about himself, either.