Key Takeaways
- • Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) boycotted the State of the Union address, joining approximately 70 Democrats in refusing attendance as a protest against President Trump's policies and rhetoric.
- • Cohen traveled across Tennessee during the congressional recess to engage constituents as the sole Democratic member of the state's Congressional delegation, conducting outreach on local and national issues.
- • Cohen condemned President Trump's threat to end Iranian civilization, calling for Cabinet invocation of the 25th Amendment before determining Trump's remarks were "characteristically crude but fortunately hollow."
- • During his Tennessee visits, Cohen advocated for infrastructure priorities including water recycling facility completion by xAI in Nashville and repairs to Elvis Presley Boulevard through the Tennessee Department of Transportation.
- • Cohen addressed the Tennessee General Assembly, highlighting his 24-year tenure as a state Senator and the Tennessee Education Lottery's $8 billion in scholarships generated over two decades.
Summary
Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) boycotted the State of the Union address on April 10, 2026, joining approximately 70 Democratic colleagues in refusing attendance. In a public statement, Cohen declared he would not "sit in the People's House and listen to a convicted felon deliver another night of lies about ICE killings, his vanity projects, or self-serving pardons while the GOP cheers." Instead, Cohen opted to attend a "People's State of the Union" event organized with advocacy groups MoveOn and MeidasTouch to discuss the real-world impacts of Trump administration policies on workers and immigrants.
During the congressional recess, Cohen undertook an extended tour across Tennessee to conduct constituent outreach, positioning himself as the sole Democratic member of the state's Congressional delegation engaging directly with Tennesseans. His activities included addressing the Tennessee General Assembly, where he served as a state Senator for 24 years. Cohen highlighted the 20-year legislative effort required to establish the Tennessee Education Lottery, which has since generated over $8 billion in scholarships for the state's students.
On April 10, Cohen issued a formal statement condemning President Trump's threat to end Iranian civilization. Initially, Cohen called for Trump's Cabinet to exercise power under the 25th Amendment to remove the President, though he subsequently characterized Trump's statement as ultimately hollow despite finding it deeply offensive. Cohen also pressed xAI to resume construction of its water recycling facility in Nashville and urged the Tennessee Department of Transportation to prioritize repairs on Elvis Presley Boulevard, citing ongoing delays affecting the community.
Cohen further announced involvement in forthcoming efforts to impeach Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and participated in commemorative remarks at the 58th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination. Additionally, Cohen introduced a legislative measure to release the Special Counsel's report on Trump's illegal retention of classified documents following his departure from office in 2021.
During the congressional recess, Cohen undertook an extended tour across Tennessee to conduct constituent outreach, positioning himself as the sole Democratic member of the state's Congressional delegation engaging directly with Tennesseans. His activities included addressing the Tennessee General Assembly, where he served as a state Senator for 24 years. Cohen highlighted the 20-year legislative effort required to establish the Tennessee Education Lottery, which has since generated over $8 billion in scholarships for the state's students.
On April 10, Cohen issued a formal statement condemning President Trump's threat to end Iranian civilization. Initially, Cohen called for Trump's Cabinet to exercise power under the 25th Amendment to remove the President, though he subsequently characterized Trump's statement as ultimately hollow despite finding it deeply offensive. Cohen also pressed xAI to resume construction of its water recycling facility in Nashville and urged the Tennessee Department of Transportation to prioritize repairs on Elvis Presley Boulevard, citing ongoing delays affecting the community.
Cohen further announced involvement in forthcoming efforts to impeach Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and participated in commemorative remarks at the 58th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination. Additionally, Cohen introduced a legislative measure to release the Special Counsel's report on Trump's illegal retention of classified documents following his departure from office in 2021.
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