Social media exploded after Pelosi ripped up Trump’s State of the Union Address, and many praised the Speaker of the House for doing so. However, Pelosi ripping up Trump’s speech is a meaningless clap back because she will continue to privately support Trump’s policies as she has done in the past. The stunt was an easy way for her to win public favor. Ultimately, Pelosi’s public spectacle encourages viewers to rally around performance rather than action.
It’s no secret that Pelosi assisted Trump in accomplishing right-wing legislation. Most prominent, Pelosi granted Trump $4.6 million in taxpayer money last June for border security (CNN). Many progressives brought up the fact that children were dying in border security’s custody, an issue that should be eradicated and least of all funded further. Yet, by pushing the legislation across the finish line, Pelosi demonstrated her willingness to defy the progressive wing of her party.
Many prominent house democrats, including Ilhan Omar, expressed their outrage at Pelosi’s decision. Omar said, “A vote for Mitch McConnell’s border bill is a vote to keep kids in cages and terrorize immigrant communities” (Twitter). Pelosi’s decision making outraged democrats because the bill will not stop the cruelty occurring at the border and immigrants, especially children, will continue to face cruel treatment.
This is not a critique of the actual ripping of Trump’s State of the Union Address. Rather, I encourage people to focus on Pelosi’s track record in politics instead of a meaningless public performance. Pelosi had the opportunity to practice meaningful action by listening to her party members. Instead, Pelosi ignored progressives like Ilhan Omar and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and their pleas to prohibit border funding for the sake of immigrant’s safety. Border security continues inhumane treatment as seen in numerous documented cases, and Pelosi’s decision making only perpetuates this harmful action. Pelosi can rip, destroy, and set as many pieces of paper on fire as she pleases. Ultimately, meaningful legislation will create progressive change.