About 30 Democrats skipped Trump’s State of the Union for a protest event, accusing him of mocking the institution of Congress.

WASHINGTON: Some 30 elected Democrats skipped President Donald Trump’s address to the US Congress to attend a “People’s State of the Union” protest.

Senator Chris Murphy told a crowd assembled in front of the US Capitol that the president “makes a mockery of this institution and he does not deserve an audience.”

The Republican, in his second presidential term, delivered his annual State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress.

He used the speech to defend his administration’s record and lay out his priorities going forward.

Speakers at the alternate event on the National Mall included people harmed by his first year of office.

They included an alleged victim of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and people whose family members have been deported.

Public health researchers laid off amid budget cuts were also among the scheduled speakers.

Signs held among the audience included “Protect Our Democracy” and “No Money for ICE,” the federal immigration police.

Another event, dubbed “State of the Swamp,” was set to host celebrities and other Democratic politicians.

 The Sun Malaysia