As President Donald Trump traveled to the U.S. Capitol to deliver his State of the Union address, a separate event unfolded at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., organized as what its backers described as a rebuttal to the president’s speech.

The gathering, titled “State of the Swamp: The Rebuttal to the State of the Union,” was organized by DEFIANCE.org, the Portland Frog Brigade, and COURIER Newsroom.

The event was promoted as a “live rebuttal” to President Trump’s address.

Attendees were encouraged to wear green clothing or inflatable frog costumes, which organizers described as a symbol of “peaceful defiance.”

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The event featured members of the Portland Frog Brigade, a group that has appeared at previous protests wearing inflatable animal costumes.

According to a Fox News report, at least eight members of the group traveled from Oregon to Washington, D.C., shipping 385 inflatable costumes in an effort to recruit additional participants for the demonstration.

The frog imagery traces back to protests in Portland, Oregon, including demonstrations against Immigration and Customs Enforcement, where members of the group wore the costumes during public events.

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The group has described its approach as “tactical frivolity” designed to mock what it characterizes as government overreach.

On its website, the Portland Frog Brigade explains its mission and methods.

“The Portland Frog Brigade uses inflatable animal costumes to practice the proven art of peaceful, creative dissent, exercising our right to free expression in defense of the U.S. Constitution and the rule of law,” the group’s website states.

“Our Resistance Assistance program provides direct material support and services to organizations working to advance democracy, justice, and human dignity.”

The Portland Frog Brigade is on Capitol Hill today, helping us deliver U.S. Constitutions to the House and Senate.

Let’s keep reminding our elected officials of their oath to uphold our Constitution—instead of listening to some wannabe king. pic.twitter.com/e3nyob50rG — DEFIANCE.org (@defiancedotorg) February 24, 2026

The counter-event drew several well-known figures. Among those reported in attendance were actors Robert De Niro and Mark Ruffalo, former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, former CNN host Don Lemon, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey.

Earlier in the day, members of the frog-themed protest were seen on Capitol Hill distributing pocket copies of the U.S. Constitution to lawmakers.

Organizers framed the National Press Club event as an alternative platform intended to respond in real time to President Trump’s address to Congress.

The gathering took place as the president delivered his speech at the Capitol, where immigration enforcement, sanctuary city policies, and voter integrity measures were among the issues addressed.

The Portland Frog Brigade’s participation added a visual component to the counter-event, with participants in inflatable frog suits positioned prominently throughout the venue.

The costumes, previously used during demonstrations in Oregon, were intended to symbolize opposition to policies advanced by the Trump administration.

The event at the National Press Club ran concurrently with the president’s address and was promoted in advance by its organizing groups as a coordinated response.

Law enforcement presence around Capitol Hill remained elevated as is customary during major presidential addresses.

The counter-program and the State of the Union address highlighted the sharp political divide in Washington, with supporters and critics of the administration presenting competing narratives on policy and governance on the same evening.

Check out Trump's full State of the Union address below:

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