Obama Preached Unity, Biden Mumbled It, AOC, Swalwell & Friends Boycott It: Jesse Watters [WATCH]

Fox News host Jesse Watters criticized Democratic lawmakers for boycotting President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address, calling the move a break from what has traditionally been a moment of national unity.

During his commentary, Watters referenced past statements from Democratic leaders about bipartisanship and working together, contrasting those remarks with the decision by some Democrats to skip the address.

“Barack Obama said, there’s not a liberal America, there’s not a conservative America. There’s a United States of America. Joe Biden always saying, We can do everything we want to if we just work together. Schumer Hakeem, bipartisanship. Reach across the aisle and the one night of national unity, State of the Union, they boycott, and not only just boycott, it is a historic boycott, and you’re starting to see a pattern.”

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Watters argued that the State of the Union has long been viewed as an opportunity for lawmakers from both parties to come together, even amid policy disagreements. He suggested that the boycott reflected a broader trend.

“Whenever there’s a moment of national unity, the Dems don’t get down with it like the Olympics. Everyone is happy about the hockey, and they just dump all over it. Super Bowl, bad bunny couldn’t understand it. Okay Thanksgiving. They tell people not to invite us to Thanksgiving. They say, Don’t even date a Republican. This is what’s going on here.”

The Fox News host also framed attendance at the address as part of the responsibilities of elected officials, regardless of partisan differences. He compared the situation to attending events out of obligation.

“We have to, as grown ups, do things sometimes we don’t want to do, like Brian’s book parties. I don’t want to go, but you don’t show up the right thing to do, and I respect that. And these people are getting paid to come here tonight. It’s like a game of hooky.”

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Watters further pointed to lawmakers who are seeking higher office, arguing that their absence from the address could send a message to voters back home. He specifically mentioned Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Rep. Eric Swalwell in that context.

“And if you’re like an AOC who’s running for president, or you’re like an Eric Swalwell who’s running for governor, don’t you want to show the people back home, you’re in the game. There’s 10 million eyeballs on the screen tonight. Show up, even if you got a little sour puss look on your face, at least show your voters you’re in it.”

WATCH:

The State of the Union address is traditionally attended by members of both parties, Supreme Court justices, military leaders, and invited guests.

While lawmakers have occasionally protested or declined to attend in the past, Watters characterized this year’s boycott as historic in scale.

His remarks centered on the contrast between public statements by Democratic leaders promoting unity and the decision by some members of the party to skip the address.

Watters maintained that even in times of political disagreement, attendance at nationally televised events remains part of the role of elected officials.

The debate over the boycott unfolded as President Trump delivered his address to a joint session of Congress, with millions of Americans watching nationwide.

Watch Trump’s full State of the Union address below:

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