The party of "norms" is planning to disrupt President Trump's speech tonight in a way that has not happened in living memory. 

So Axios tells us, at least. 

🚨 SCOOP: Democratic lawmakers are discussing a litany of options to protest at President Trump's speech to Congress, including through outright disruption, a half dozen House Democrats told @AndrewSolender and @HansNichols. https://t.co/mbBzpVHcta

— Axios (@axios) March 4, 2025

There is nothing new or offensive about the party out of power doing their best to make political statements and express disapproval during a presidential speech, but that tends to be limited to not applauding or at most holding signs and making faces. There have been instances of representatives shouting "liar" during the speech, as happened to both Obama and Biden. 

Nancy Pelosi famously tore up Trump's speech right after he gave it, which was a stupid and petty gesture, but hardly out of line. 

But, according to Axios, some Democrats are planning to go the extra mile tonight because, as a Democrat told Axios, "this is not business as usual."

Hey, whoever you are, Americans voted to disrupt business as usual. 

Democratic lawmakers are discussing a litany of options to protest at President Trump's speech to Congress on Tuesday, including through outright disruption, a half dozen House Democrats told Axios.

Why it matters: Some of these tactics go beyond their leaders' recommendation that members bring guests hurt by Trump and DOGE. This sets up a potential clash between party traditionalists and its more combative anti-Trump wing.

• "The part that we all agree on is that this is not business as usual and we would like to find a way — productively — to express our outrage," one House Democrat told Axios.
• There is widespread disagreement among Democrats, both inside and outside of Congress, over what would be the most appropriate and effective form of demonstration.

What we're hearing: Some members have told colleagues they may walk out of the chamber when Trump says specific lines they find objectionable, lawmakers told Axios.

Walking out of the chamber is perfectly acceptable, as are other ways of making a point without outright disruption. We can all make noises about respecting the office if not the man, but let's be honest: this idea is honored more in the breach than not. It's not like decorum has characterized American politics lately. 

A wide array of props — including noisemakers — has also been floated:

• Signs with anti-Trump or anti-DOGE messages — just as Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) held up a sign during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech last year that said "war criminal."
• Eggs or empty egg cartons to highlight how inflation is driving up the price of eggs.
• Pocket constitutions to make the case that Trump has been violating the Constitution by shutting down congressionally authorized agencies.
• Hand clappers, red cards and various other props have also been discussed, multiple sources said.

The intrigue: In closed-door meetings and on the House floor Monday night, lawmakers were specifically discouraged from using props, two House Democrats told Axios.

• These tactics are also a source of considerable internal debate among House Democratic rank-and-file — in large part based on what they've heard back in their districts.
• "There are definitely a lot of constituents that really want Democrats to disrupt and there are ... constituents who feel like that just plays into his hands," one House Democrat told Axios.

It's hard to predict how far Democrats will go--their backbenchers are Social Justice Warriors, who have a penchant for disruption over dialog. But it could still be that Hakeem Jeffries is looking to the polls that say approval of Democrats is low and getting more extreme than normal won't make that any better. If so, he may be able to keep his rabble rousers in check. 

Good luck with that Hakeem. I mean that (mostly) sincerely.