Omar Claims Presence at SOTU Address ‘Is Resistance,’ Says Trump Presidency ‘Not Legitimate’

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN-05) attended President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address Tuesday night, but claimed her “presence tonight is resistance.”

Omar issued a statement about her attendance at the annual event after Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY-14) said she was skipping.

“After much deliberation, I have decided that I will not use my presence at a state ceremony to normalize Trump’s lawless conduct and subversion of the Constitution. None of this is normal, and I will not legitimize it. Consequently, I will not be attending the State of the Union,” said Ocasio-Cortez. “This is a deeply personal decision for each member to make, and a choice I did not take lightly.”

This is a deeply personal decision for each member to make, and a choice I did not take lightly.

I will be hopping on Instagram Live later this evening to connect with my constituents and follow up with their questions about #SOTU.

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) February 4, 2020

Reps. Maxine Waters (D-CA-43) and Ayanna Pressley (D-MA-07) announced that they also planned on skipping Trump’s speech.

To think that I would attend the #SOTU to hear the message of an IMPEACHED president is a thought that in no way would be consistent w/ my fight and struggle against this dishonorable president. I will certainly NOT be there!

— Maxine Waters (@RepMaxineWaters) February 4, 2020

“The State of the Union is hurting because of the occupant of the White House, who consistently demonstrates contempt for the American people, contempt for Congress, and contempt for our constitution. I cannot in good conscience attend tonight’s sham,” said Pressley.

The State of the Union is hurting because of the occupant of the White House, who consistently demonstrates contempt for the American people, contempt for Congress & contempt for our constitution. I cannot in good conscience attend tonight's sham #SOTU → https://t.co/DTwG3Y7dK3 pic.twitter.com/Hres8eAFkK

— Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (@RepPressley) February 4, 2020

Omar then announced that she would be attending the address, but assured her supporters that it was an act of “resistance.”

“It’s no secret that this president has routinely targeted religious and ethnic minorities. He has fanned the flames of hate against refugees, Muslims, Africans, immigrants and all racial and religious minorities,” wrote Omar, saying “this impeached president is not legitimate.”

“I am attending tonight’s address not to confer any legitimacy on his actions, his statements, or his presidency,” she continued. “I am attending on behalf of all those targeted by this president to say, ‘We are greater than hate.’ My presence tonight is resistance.”

I am attending tonight’s address not to confer any legitimacy on his actions, his statements, or his presidency.

I am attending on behalf of all of those targeted by this President to say, ‘We are greater than hate.’

My presence tonight is resistance.

— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) February 4, 2020

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Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star. Follow Anthony on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].