Trump's Big Speech: How Democrats Plan to Respond

Democrats are gearing up for President Trump's big speech to Congress, and they're not all on the same page about how to handle it. Some are planning to counter his message with their own, while others are skipping the event altogether. The speech is a big deal because it's Trump's chance to lay out his plans for his second term. Democrats are worried about how his policies might affect people's lives, especially when it comes to things like healthcare and the cost of living. They're hoping to use this moment to show that they're fighting for everyday Americans. Senator Elissa Slotkin from Michigan will be giving the official Democratic response. She's been chosen because she won her seat in a state that Trump carried, and Democrats hope she can connect with working-class voters. Slotkin plans to focus on how Trump's actions are hurting people and not living up to his promises. She'll be talking about issues like the cost of living and protecting programs like Social Security and Medicaid. Democrats are also encouraging their members to bring guests who have been affected by Trump's policies, like those who have lost jobs or had their funding cut. Some Democrats, like Senator Chris Murphy, think the speech will be more of a rally for Trump's supporters than a serious policy discussion. He's skipping the event and plans to participate in a counter-programming event with a progressive advocacy group instead. Murphy believes Democrats need to be on the offensive all the time, not just during big speeches. Other Democrats, like former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, will be appearing on TV shows to share their thoughts. Outside of Washington, there's a protest movement called "50501" planning a rally on the same day as Trump's speech. They want to give voters a chance to voice their frustrations with Trump and his policies. Recent polls show that many Democrats are unhappy with how their party has been handling the response to Trump so far. They feel like Democrats in Congress aren't doing enough to oppose him. Democrats are also worried about upcoming battles over the budget and potential government shutdowns. They're planning to step up their attacks on Trump's policy vision, especially when it comes to things like Medicaid cuts. Senator Ruben Gallego from Arizona is planning to hold town halls in rural parts of his state to talk about how these cuts could affect people there. He thinks Democrats need to take their message to places that aren't typically Democratic strongholds.