Dozens of House and Senate members skipped the speech and, in a counter event on the National Mall, criticized the president’s policies on immigration, health care and the economy.

More than two dozen Democratic U.S. lawmakers say they're planning to attend the "People's State of the Union" instead of the president's address. (AP Photo)

At least a dozen Democrats in Congress are skipping the address to attend the “People’s State of the Union” rally.

Some Democrats plan to continue their party's pattern of trying to steal headlines from President Donald Trump when he delivers his State of the Union address next week. They are planning a counterprogramming event to take place on the National Mall rather than showing respect for the office of the President and attending the speech.