EXCLUSIVE: Two mayors said “GET OUT” to Trump. Now they’re defying him — LIVE.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson are planning to speak at a boycott rebuttal event to Trump's "State of the Union" speech. Fireworks expected.
On the night President Trump delivers his State of the Union address, two mayors will be delivering historic remarks of their own. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey — leaders whose cities have been under siege by Trump’s campaign of retribution and his immigration crackdown — will offer a live counter-address in the nation’s capital.
The “State of the Swamp” event — hosted by DEFIANCE.org — will take place Tuesday night at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. and will be livestreamed nationwide during Trump’s State of the Union address.
Trump has tried to cast both cities as symbols of urban disorder and hotbeds of “domestic terrorism,” as his administration has ransacked them with raids that have resulted in deaths, sparked widespread protests, and led federal judges to issue blistering rulings that DHS authorities repeatedly violated residents’ constitutional rights.
The two mayors have been far from compliant. Indeed, both have received national recognition for demanding the removal of federal forces — and succeeding.
Mayor Frey gained national notoriety for channeling the rage of Minnesotans after the January killing of Renee Nicole Good by a DHS agent.
“They are already trying to spin this as an action of self defense. Having seen the video myself, I want to tell everybody directly — that is bullshit,” he told reporters gathered at a press conference shortly after the shooting. “This was an agent recklessly using power that resulted in somebody dying. Getting killed.”
What he said next went viral.
“To ICE: get the fuck out of Minneapolis. We do not want you here. Your stated reason for being in this city is to create some kind of safety, and you are doing exactly the opposite.”
Meanwhile, in Chicago, Mayor Johnson has taken some of the most aggressive municipal action in the country to counter the federal immigration enforcement surge. In late January, he signed an executive order — dubbed “ICE On Notice” — directing the Chicago Police Department to document and investigate alleged illegal activity by federal immigration agents and to refer potential felony violations to prosecutors.
The mayors have found themselves in one of the most significant clashes over federalism in recent American history, as the Trump administration tries to force its agenda on unwilling cities and states. It’s worth noting that mayors rarely step into the spotlight on State of the Union night. Indeed, counter-addresses have traditionally come from congressional leaders or governors of the opposing party.
But both argue that Trump’s intrusions are too significant — and precedent-setting — to ignore. That’s why they’ve taken the unusual step of preparing rebuttal addresses during Trump’s own speech.
Frey framed his reasoning in historical terms:
“There are moments in our country’s history when leadership is measured not by party loyalty, but by moral clarity. This is one of those moments. Leaders — Democrats and Republicans alike — must be willing to speak up when our fundamental values are tested. Standing up for constitutional rights and the rule of law should never be a partisan act. It’s a patriotic one.”
Similarly, Johnson vowed that he would “not allow the threats posed by this administration to stand in the way of work building truly safe and affordable cities.”
It was announced today that journalist Don Lemon would also be joining the event. Lemon was recently arrested by DHS and FBI agents and charged with alleged crimes while covering protests in Minnesota. He has argued that the allegations are baseless and politically motivated.
Lemon, Frey, and Johnson join a broad lineup of elected officials, cultural figures, former Trump administration officials, targets of presidential revenge, pro-democracy leaders, and others at the rebuttal event.
Additionally, the Portland Frog Brigade released a video (below) promoting the participation of its frogs in the night of defiance. For many months, the group has organized protests at ICE facilities clad in blow-up frog suits, dancing to EDM music, and defying Trump’s characterization of protesters as “domestic terrorists” and “insurrectionists.”
But the arrival of two big-city mayors in the nation’s capital to stand against Trump — on the night of his biggest speech of the year — signals that the dispute between the president and the people he purports to govern is moving to another level. Americans are growing angry about federal overreach, and their local leaders are carrying a message to the White House: Get out. And stay out.
Your friend, in defiance,
Miles Taylor
State of the Swamp! Can’t wait! 🐸🐸🐸
Party Tuesday Night: Defiant for Democracy