Rep. Rush Cites Trump's 'Racism, Stupidity' In SOTU Boycott

CHICAGO — Rep. Bobby Rush is one of three of Illinois' Democratic members of Congress who boycotted President Donald Trump's first State of the Union address on Tuesday.

The group was cited in a CBS News report along with members from across the U.S. who also vowed to not attend. Fellow Illinois Democratic representatives Jan Schakowsky and Danny Davis were also identified in the story. In their explanations to press, all referenced their disapproval of what they consider to be racist or hateful behavior by Trump.

In his statement, Rush referenced citizens, "watching the presidency erode before our eyes."

"This is a presidency that has been built on racism, stupidity, and lies, which has already wasted enough of America’s time and I will not waste anymore of mine," he said.

Schakowsky and Davis echoed his sentiments.

“I cannot in good conscience stand silently by and watch generations of struggle for equal rights, for civil, human and voting rights, for the rights of women, for social and economic justice be undone from the highest office in the land," Davis said.

Rush's 1st Congressional District spans dozens of communities from Chicago to its far southwest suburbs, including parts or all of Tinley Park, Frankfort, Frankfort Square, Oak Forest Mokena, New Lenox and Manhattan.

Photo by Jim Lo Scalzo/Pool Image via Associated Press, File