The split response underscores the lack of unity amongDemocratsin how to respond to Trumps destructive opening blitz.
At times, the two sides seem to behave as if they are enduring different realities.
These progressives believe that this fraught moment must be met with heroic measures lest the democratic system collapse.
Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) shouts as President Donald Trump speaks during an address to a joint session of Congress in Washington, D.C., on March 4, 2025.Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images
It views anything less than full opposition politics as complicity and weakness.
Progressives who did attend made a show of their opposition defying centrist admonitions to not become the story.
Rep. Greenwaved a cane and shouted at Trump: You have no mandate to cut Medicaid!
a reference to the GOPs just passed budget framework.
Speaker Mike Johnsonordered him removed by the Sergeant at Arms.
Crockett laterwalked outof the address, as did progressive stalwart Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).
The centrist wing of the party was given the partys formal rebuttal.
Deportations
Slotkin has already staked her new role in the Senate as a centrist.
Among Democrats, only Pennsylvanias Sen. John Fettermanhas fewer no votesagainst Trumps extreme Cabinet members than Slotkin.
Katie Britt.Slotkin performed ably and with real gravitas.
Slotkins speech ran a swift 10 minutes.
She acknowledged conservative Americas hunger for change.
But Slokin went after Trump for the reckless way hes pursued transformation, creating political instability.
And she promised that Democrats would be the principled leaders that you deserve.
With friends like these, progressives might retort, who needs Republicans?
