AOC among Democrats boycotting State of the Union over Trump's 'lawless conduct and subversion of the constitution'

'None of this is normal, and I will not legitimize it'

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and several prominent Democrats have decided to boycott Donald Trump's State of the Union address, citing concern around normalizing the president's "lawless conduct".

Ms Ocasio-Cortez announced her decision to hold back on Twitter, saying that she had not come to the decision lightly. In addition to her, congresswoman Ayanna Pressley has also signalled she will not attend, alongside several other Democrats.

"After much deliberation, I have decided that I will not use my presence at a state ceremony to normalize Trump's lawless conduct & subversion of the Constitution," Ms Ocasio-Cortez wrote.

"None of this is normal, and I will not legitimize it," she continued.

In addition to Ms Pressley and Ms Ocasio-Cortez, representatives Al Green, Earl Blumenauer, Steve Cohen and Joe Wilson have all said they will not attend.

"The State of the Union is hurting because of the occupant of the White House, who consistently demonstrates contempt for the American people, contempt for Congress & contempt for our constitution," Ms Pressley wrote. "I cannot in good conscience attend tonight's sham."

Mr Trump's State of the Union will come just a day before the Senate is expected to hold a final vote in his impeachment trial, where Republicans are widely expected to acquit him on two articles of impeachment he faces.

The president is expected to talk about things like middle class tax cuts and the military, but it is not clear that he is planning on addressing the impeachment effort against him.