Members from both parties say the legislative branch has descended into dysfunction in the Trump era. Robert Draper interviewed over 30 current and former members and aides, plus a senior White House official. During Trump’s State of the Union, Republicans leaned in to shake his hand while Democrats like Hakeem Jeffries remained seated.

Trump declared congressional action unnecessary for tariffs and told John Thune and Mike Johnson to codify executive orders anyway. He challenged members to stand for protecting citizens over illegal aliens; Republicans stood, Democrats sat. Trump called seated Democrats “pro-crime” and “sick people.” Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar jeered; Al Green was escorted out for holding a sign referencing a Truth Social post.

Roughly half of Democrats in both chambers boycotted the address. Terri Sewell said she attended as an institutionalist but found it harder to stomach. Dave Joyce praised the address but later admitted Congress had assumed an overly submissive posture toward Trump.