Pelosi Urges Democrats to Stand Down During Trump’s Congressional Address

WASHINGTON, D.C. — House Representative Nancy Pelosi advised her fellow Democrats to remain subdued during President Donald Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday at 9 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. In a recent interview, she emphasized a ‘let him stew in his own juice’ approach, urging colleagues not to be disruptive.

This speech marks Trump’s first address to Congress since returning to the Oval Office, aiming to promote his ‘Make America Great Again’ policies. The president previewed his address by stating, ‘TOMORROW NIGHT WILL BE BIG. I WILL TELL IT LIKE IT IS!’ on his social media platform, Truth Social.

Pelosi, who previously drew criticism for tearing up Trump’s State of the Union address in 2020, reflected on her actions during an interview with The Washington Post. She noted that the emotional response resulted from what she perceived as deceitful content in the speech. ‘When I saw that every page was a lie, I had to tear it up,’ Pelosi recalled, adding that the parchment was ‘very hard to tear.’

In her advice to current Democratic lawmakers, Pelosi asserted that only members in safe districts should vocalize their dissent, arguing that significant protests could distract from the party’s narrative. ‘The most important thing in all of this is to prioritize,’ she said. ‘Again, members will say, I want this, I want that. Yeah, that’s interesting; talk about that at home.’

Pelosi believes that Democrats should concentrate on strengthening their positions ahead of the 2026 midterm elections rather than reacting to Trump’s address. ‘It’s not four years; it’s not even two years. It’s between March and September. Where are the numbers? This fall is everything. And we only need three seats,’ she advised.

Pelosi will be attending the address, albeit from a less prominent position, as Vice President J.D. Vance and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) will be seated behind Trump during the event. Her presence underscores her intent to listen and gauge Trump’s stance on key issues, such as Medicaid and healthcare for vulnerable populations.

As the speech approaches, some Democratic freshmen have expressed anxiety about how to respond in light of past occurrences during Trump’s speeches. In their first term, they have sought guidance from Pelosi on maintaining decorum.

Pelosi’s cautions signal a strategic shift for Democrats as they attempt to unify their messaging and focus on upcoming electoral challenges. ‘I don’t want three seats; I want many more than that,’ she stated firmly, indicating her broader ambitions for the party’s future.

Fox News Digital reached out to Pelosi’s office for additional remarks but did not receive an immediate response.