Clarke Statement on Donald Trump’s First State of the Union

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY) released the following statement on her decision not to attend the State of the Union Address:

“I will not attend tonight’s State of the Union Address because this president, in his words and in his deeds, has not honored nor respected the office he holds and has shown an utter disregard for our democratic norms and sacred institutions.

“Since his inauguration, Donald Trump, has focused his efforts on pitting one group of Americans against the other. His policies have instilled fear, anguish, chaos, and confusion.

“From his attacks on the free press and on our intelligence agencies, to the Muslim Ban and his manufactured DACA and TPS crises, to implying that white supremacists are good people, Donald Trump has proven unfit for office.

“I have said many times that Donald Trump’s policies have a direct impact on my constituents. It often feels as though this president has put a bull’s eye on the Ninth Congressional District of New York.

“Tonight, when Donald Trump lays out his problematic immigration framework during his State of the Union, he’ll have to look my guest, activist Ravi Ragbir who was unconstitutionally detained by ICE January 11^th and released yesterday, in the eye.

“My constituents have made it clear: as long as Donald Trump attacks our friends, neighbors, and communities, we must resist.

“I am resisting.”

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