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

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.

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"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.

Shape Created with Sketch. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez - the Democratic congresswoman in pictures Show all 15 left Created with Sketch. right Created with Sketch. Shape Created with Sketch. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez - the Democratic congresswoman in pictures 1/15 Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez greets fellow lawmakers ahead of the State of the Union address Getty 2/15 Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez participates in an event with Democratic members of Congress EPA 3/15 The Democrat senator speaks during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol January 30, 2019 Getty 4/15 Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and fellow Democrat Rashida Tlaib AP 5/15 Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at the Senate chamber to watch two votes on January 24, 2019 Getty 6/15 Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez arrives with Chellie Pingree at a House Democratic Caucus meeting Getty 7/15 Ocasio-Cortez during Donald Trump's State of the Union address Reuters 8/15 New York State Assembly member Catalina Cruz with Ocasio-Cortez AFP/Getty 9/15 Nydia Velazquez talks with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Reuters 10/15 Ocasio-Cortez casts her vote for Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House EPA 11/15 Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez poses with a campaign worker during a whistle stop in the Queens borough of New York Reuters 12/15 Ocasio-Cortez outside the US Capitol AFP/Getty 13/15 Ocasio-Cortez after casting her ballot in the 2018 midterm general election at a polling site in New York EPA 14/15 Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez looks on during a march organised by the Women's March Alliance in Manhattan Reuters 15/15 Ocasio Cortez looks on at the Capitol in Washington, DC, on January 16, 2019 AFP/Getty 1/15 Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez greets fellow lawmakers ahead of the State of the Union address Getty 2/15 Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez participates in an event with Democratic members of Congress EPA 3/15 The Democrat senator speaks during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol January 30, 2019 Getty 4/15 Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and fellow Democrat Rashida Tlaib AP 5/15 Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at the Senate chamber to watch two votes on January 24, 2019 Getty 6/15 Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez arrives with Chellie Pingree at a House Democratic Caucus meeting Getty 7/15 Ocasio-Cortez during Donald Trump's State of the Union address Reuters 8/15 New York State Assembly member Catalina Cruz with Ocasio-Cortez AFP/Getty 9/15 Nydia Velazquez talks with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Reuters 10/15 Ocasio-Cortez casts her vote for Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House EPA 11/15 Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez poses with a campaign worker during a whistle stop in the Queens borough of New York Reuters 12/15 Ocasio-Cortez outside the US Capitol AFP/Getty 13/15 Ocasio-Cortez after casting her ballot in the 2018 midterm general election at a polling site in New York EPA 14/15 Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez looks on during a march organised by the Women's March Alliance in Manhattan Reuters 15/15 Ocasio Cortez looks on at the Capitol in Washington, DC, on January 16, 2019 AFP/Getty

"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.