Speier invites lawmakers to wear black to Trump’s State of the Union

by Jacqueline Thomsen - 01/09/18 9:51 PM ET

Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Calif.) said she and other female House members are inviting lawmakers — both male and female — to wear black to President Trump’s State of the Union address later this month in solidarity with the anti-sexual harassment “Me Too” and “Time’s Up” movements.

“This is a culture change that is sweeping the country and Congress is embracing it,” Speier told The Hill in a statement.

She said the Democratic Women’s Working Group, which includes all of the female House members, was encouraging lawmakers from both sides of the aisle to wear black to the event, and that support is very high.

NBC News first reported the story.

{mosads}Nearly 60 Democratic female lawmakers demanded last month that Congress launch a probe into allegations of sexual misconduct against Trump.

That request came just one day after three of Trump’s accusers banded together for the first time to share details of their allegations and also call for a congressional investigation into the president.

More than a dozen women came forward to publicly accuse Trump of sexual harassment during his presidential campaign.

Trump and the White House have maintained that all of the accusers are lying.

Trump also faced intense backlash after the 2005 “Access Hollywood” tape emerged, which featured him describing kissing and groping women without their consent.

Sexual harassment and misconduct has dominated conversation in the entertainment industry and in politics over the past few months. Figures like Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey and Louis C.K. are among those who have been accused of sexual misconduct.

And several lawmakers have resigned or announced their retirements after being accused of sexual misconduct.

—This post was updated at 10:07 p.m.

Tags Donald Trump Donald Trump Jackie Speier