Former Labor Secretary Calls for State of Union Boycott

A prominent Democratic voice is calling for Americans to turn off their televisions during President Trump's State of the Union address, arguing the president doesn't deserve the nation's attention and highlighting deep concerns about the country's current trajectory.

Robert Reich, former U.S. Secretary of Labor under President Clinton, published a scathing commentary urging viewers to boycott Tuesday night's address entirely. "I'm not going to watch the State of the Union address on Tuesday night. I urge you not to, either," Reich wrote, expressing hope that Nielsen ratings would show historically low viewership numbers.

Reich's call for a boycott reflects broader Democratic frustration with Trump's presidency and represents an unusual break from the traditional bipartisan respect accorded to the State of the Union ceremony. The former labor secretary, now a professor of public policy, bluntly assessed the nation's condition, stating "we already know the state of the union – it sucks."

The boycott call comes as Trump delivered his address amid a politically charged atmosphere. Democratic lawmakers from southwestern states criticized the speech along party lines, with Colorado Senator Michael Bennet arguing that "President Trump once again tried to convince us that what we have seen with our own eyes is not the truth."

The timing of Reich's boycott appeal proved particularly striking, as Democrats celebrated three special election victories during the same evening, including crucial wins in Pennsylvania that secured a Democratic majority in the state legislature. The victories provided a stark counterpoint to Trump's address, with Democratic leaders framing the wins as evidence of voter dissatisfaction with the current administration.

Reich's strategy of encouraging low viewership represents a calculated attempt to undermine Trump's platform and influence. The former cabinet official specifically noted that poor ratings "will drive Trump crazy," suggesting that denying the president an audience could be more effective than traditional forms of political opposition.

The boycott call highlights the deep polarization surrounding Trump's presidency and raises questions about the traditional role of the State of the Union as a unifying national moment. When prominent political figures actively discourage Americans from participating in this democratic ritual, it signals a breakdown in the shared civic traditions that have historically bound the country together.

For a democracy that relies on informed citizen participation, the spectacle of a former government official urging Americans to tune out their president represents a troubling development. Whether Reich's call resonates with viewers or backfires by generating more interest in the address, his intervention underscores the fractured state of American political discourse and the challenges facing national unity.

Sources

1. Why I'm not watching the State of the Union – and you shouldn't either — The Guardian
2. State of Union criticized by Southwest Dems, praised by GOP — Yahoo News
3. Democrats Win Three Big Elections During Trump's State of the Union — The New Republic