The speech, scheduled for February 24, will likely take place in the middle of a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding cut that is the result of a standoff with Democrats over immigration enforcement.
Behind the scenes, some administration officials and senior Capitol Hill Republicans were granted anonymity to describe private conversations, according to six people who were granted anonymity to describe private conversations. they are secretly worried about how it will be received.
Concerned Republicans say it would not be ideal for Trump to stand before the joint chambers of Congress and declare the state of the nation strong while key parts of the federal government remain closed.
Unrest in the ranks of Republicans
“It wouldn't be a good sign,” notes one Republican member of the House of Representatives who wished to remain anonymous.
Asked whether postponing the speech was being considered, a senior White House official said Friday that it was not being considered for now. Seasoned Republicans on Capitol Hill believe the president is also committed to moving forward with his plans. In 2019, Trump publicly argued with then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for more than a week over the delay of the State of the Union address during an earlier government shutdown. Eventually he relented.
Republicans expect House Speaker Mike Johnson, who is responsible for issuing a formal invitation to the president to address a joint session of Congress, not to delay the speech, unless the White House specifically requests it.
The partial government shutdown, which began when Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding expired Saturday night, is expected to last at least through the week of Trump's State of the Union speech. Currently, the White House and Senate Democrats appear far from agreeing on the scope of limiting Trump's actions on immigration enforcement.
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The two sides are continuing negotiations, but lawmakers left Washington on Thursday for a week-long break and do not expect to be called back ahead of schedule. The speech is scheduled for the day after lawmakers return to the Capitol.
White House officials and senior Republicans on Capitol Hill would like Trump to use the speech to quell the wave of negative headlines over the past few weeks, from fatal shootings involving federal immigration agents in Minnesota to the release of the records of deceased convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Instead, they would like to focus on the Republican Party's economic message ahead of the midterm elections.
Some Republicans also see it as an opportunity to blame Democrats for the lack of funding for DHS, which affects Transportation Security Administration (TSA) baggage screening workers who will be working without pay, as well as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Coast Guard.
“President Trump has been and will always be on the side of the American people,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in an interview on Fox News on Friday. “He wants to keep our government open, and unfortunately it looks like Democrats are pushing our government toward another shutdown for political and partisan reasons,” she added.
Democrats do not rule out a boycott
One of the issues Republicans are considering is whetherhow much the Democrats are going to make it harder for Trump to just speak. Democrats in the Senate are discussing whether to boycott this eventand were scheduled to discuss it during a closed lunch last week, according to two people who were granted anonymity to share details of private conversations.
Some members of the Democratic caucus are currently expected to attend the event, although some of them have not yet made a decision.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries declined Friday to say whether he believed the speech should take place during the DHS shutdown.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Washington, February 12, 2026.Win McNamee/Getty Images/Getty Images
“It's an open question,” he told reporters. —We'll have more to say about this soon.
According to two people granted anonymity, Jeffries advised Democrats during a private meeting last week that they should either sit in “silent opposition” or attend an alternative event.
During State of the Union speeches, the president is increasingly booed by his political opponents.
Mike Johnson asked members of the Republican Party to maintain order during former President Joe Biden's 2024 appearance, but several unapologetic Republicans openly ridiculed him. During Trump's speech to Congress last year [formalnie nie było ono orędziem o stanie państwa, gdyż prezydent pełnił funkcję dopiero niecałe dwa miesiące] Democrats showed up with signs and shouts, and many members of Congress left the chamber on their own accord or under pressure from Capitol Police.
Democratic Congressman Al Green, who stood up to shout his displeasure at the beginning of Trump's speech last year, was later censured by the House of Representatives for his behavior.
Asked if he would attend this year's State of the Union address, Green replied: “I'm not going to announce my decision right now.”
I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.
