OPINION:
The lack of civility in our two-party system was on full display at the State of the Union speech this week, and while it may be gaining steam, it is nothing new.
Last year, Rep. Al Green, Texas Democrat, was kicked out of President Trump’s speech to a joint session of Congress, shouting at the president and shaking his cane. This year, he was again escorted from the chamber, this time for a large hand-made sign.
This year, Rep. Rashida Tlaib, Michigan Democrat, wore a large decorative button with the words “F—- ICE” written so large you couldn’t possibly miss it. Her button did not use dashes, asterisks or anything else, instead having the full vulgar term on display, a violation of House rules.
Fellow Squad member Ilhan Omar shouted at the president repeatedly, again a violation of House rules. The Minnesota Democrat accused him of killing Americans.
Despite their outbursts, at least those three members showed up to the State of the Union address. More than 70 Democrats declared they were boycotting the speech because they don’t like Mr. Trump or his message.
The State of the Union is required by Article II, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution. It says the President shall “give to the Congress information of the State of the Union” periodically. In modern times that has settled into an annual speech to both houses of Congress. The Democrats made clear this year, however, there is no requirement for them to attend or review a single word from the president.
Common sense would suggest they should at least show up to listen, but, like civility, common sense seems to be in short supply in Washington.
None of this is new of course, and the Democrats haven’t cornered the market on being less than civil. Rep. Joe Wilson, South Carolina Republican, shouted “You lie!” at then-President Obama during a joint session of Congress way back in 2009.
If we try to trace the steady decay of decorum, one notable place to start would be the very beginning of Mr. Obama’s presidency. Only three weeks into his term, he delivered a speech in southwest Florida, and Gov. Charlie Crist agreed to introduce the leader of the free world. The Republican governor asked the crowd to give a warm Florida welcome to the president of the United States, and the two briefly embraced behind the podium.
Mr. Crist was skewered in conservative media outlets and hammered within the ranks of the GOP. How dare the governor welcome the president of the United States? Whether one liked Mr. Crist or not, it was an absurd criticism. Sadly, it has become the norm now. Governors often ignore visits to their state by presidents of the other party.
Recently, the current White House returned the favor.
The National Governors Association meets annually in Washington. Obviously among the 50 states, there will be governors from different political parties, but all gather in good fellowship and share problems, concerns and potential solutions with one another. But 2026 is different.
It has been a longstanding tradition for the president to host the governors at the White House. But this year, Mr. Trump only invited Republican governors, and as a result, the National Governors Association said “no thanks.”
The White House made an about-face in an effort to salvage the event, but couldn’t quite get all the way. It looked like maybe the meeting would be held after all until Mr. Trump declined to invite two Democrats he dislikes. At that point, the National Governors Association pulled the plug altogether.
Isn’t the goal of the government to serve all the people? Both parties seem to have lost that part of the script, instead believing that some small victory for their “team” is more important. Communication and cooperation be damned. Compromise? That’s blasphemy. Gridlock? That’s fine as long as we play to our base.
This may explain two interesting statistics. A recent Gallup poll found that only 17% of Americans have confidence that the federal government will do what is right most of the time. More than 80% of Americans don’t believe Washington is working for them. Those are staggering numbers.
Also of significant note is a 2026 Gallup poll finding that 45% of Americans now identify as independent of any political party. Only 27% say Republican and 27% say Democrat. An overwhelming plurality of Americans don’t think either the red team or the blue team represents their beliefs and values. Some may lean toward one party or the other, but they simply don’t want to align themselves with either label.
Politicos should take note. The lack of civility and ever-increasing vitriol spewing out of our elected officials and the parties they represent is leading toward one unexpected result, the No Party System.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.