U.S. Representative Ayanna Pressley announced she would boycott President Donald Trump’s 2026 State of the Union address, citing what she described as harmful immigration policies and rhetoric that she says are “traumatizing our children.”
In a social media post accompanied by a video statement, Pressley said her decision to skip the address was rooted in longstanding concerns about the impact of federal immigration enforcement on families.
“The state of our union is traumatizing our children,” Pressley said. “And that is because of the violent rhetoric and policies enacted by the occupant of the Oval Office.”
Protest Centered Around Child Welfare
Pressley, who noted she has spent eight years in Congress and much of her public service career focused on addressing childhood trauma, said she could not “legitimize or normalize the violence and harm caused by this administration.”
Instead of attending the address in the House chamber, she said she chose to highlight the experiences of young people affected by immigration enforcement.
“My honorary State of the Union guests will be children who have been directly harmed and impacted by ICE,” she said, referring to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Pressley named several children — Eleni, Daphne, Juan Nicolas, and Suchay — saying their stories reflect broader concerns about the human impact of immigration enforcement policies.
Broader Political Context
President Trump delivered his State of the Union address to Congress on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, outlining his administration’s policy priorities and defending his record on immigration, economic policy, and national security.
According to highlights compiled by NPR, the speech focused on continued border enforcement measures and renewed calls for stricter immigration controls — issues that have remained central to political divisions in Washington.
Pressley’s boycott reflects a wider pattern of symbolic protests during presidential addresses, where lawmakers sometimes opt out to signal strong opposition to administration policies.
Continuing Debate
The congresswoman’s remarks add to ongoing national debates over immigration enforcement, particularly the treatment of migrant families and children.
Critics of current policies argue they contribute to psychological trauma and family separation, while supporters say strict enforcement is necessary for border security and rule of law.
Pressley said she plans to continue amplifying the stories of affected children in the coming weeks.
“Soon enough you’ll hear more about their experiences,” she said, “but for now I wanted to tell you directly why I’m boycotting.”
