Democratic Women in Congress Wearing Pink to Trump Speech

A group of Democratic congresswomen is gearing up to wear pink during President Donald Trump’s Joint Address to Congress on Tuesday evening, as part of a coordinated demonstration against his policies.

Teresa Leger Fernández, the representative from New Mexico and chair of the Democratic Women’s Caucus, revealed exclusively to TIME on Monday that the choice of pink is meant to “signal our protest against Trump’s policies that adversely affect women and families.”

“Pink symbolizes power and protest,” she stated in an interview. “It’s time to amplify our opposition and present a clear message to Trump.”

This marks Trump’s first formal address to Congress in five years. Historically, such significant speeches provide an opportunity for the party not in power to express its dissent to the sitting president. Throughout Trump’s first term, Democratic lawmakers were expressive in their opposition—some booed, others walked out, and many utilized their clothing choices to convey political messages. Notably, during Trump’s 2020 State of the Union, then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi made headlines by tearing up a copy of his speech while seated just behind him.

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The Democratic Women’s Caucus, comprising 96 members, has a history of using fashion as a form of protest. In past years, they wore white to honor the suffragists who fought for women’s voting rights and donned black attire during the previous State of the Union to advocate for reproductive freedom. This year, they are adopting a new approach, selecting pink to reflect a significant moment in American politics.

“Women have previously worn pink in opposition to Trump, and we will do so again,” Leger Fernández remarked.

Leger Fernández pointed to various issues regarding the Trump Administration, including tariffs on Canada and Mexico that may inflate prices, and proposed budget cuts to Medicaid, which is the largest single payer for maternity care in the U.S., covering over 40% of U.S. births. She asserted that Trump’s policies, particularly those concerning reproductive health and social programs, disproportionately harm women, especially those from working-class backgrounds.

“All these pressures fall heavily on women,” Leger Fernández explained. “Women in my district are scared and losing their jobs due to chaotic mass firings. When a woman loses her job, it jeopardizes her ability to support her family.”

Beyond mere symbolism, Democrats are keen to leverage the address as a platform to underscore the tangible impacts of Trump’s policies. Many lawmakers plan to bring guests who have been directly affected by his administration’s actions, including union leaders, federal employees impacted by budget cuts, and others suffering from government funding freezes.

Unlike previous years, there seems to be no widespread call among Democrats to boycott the address. Instead, many lawmakers express a desire to be visibly present, contrasting their silence with the applause from Republican members, thereby highlighting their opposition.