In a departure from her previous headline-grabbing antics, Representative Lauren Boebert of Colorado embarked on a social media blitz Thursday night in response to Joe Biden’s State of the Union address. This marked a contrast from two years ago when she made waves for heckling the president during the speech.
Biden delivered a passionate State of the Union, highlighting his administration’s achievements, including the passage of economic legislation, as the presidential election loomed.
He did not shy away from addressing Republicans on contentious issues such as immigration, taxes, and reproductive rights, earning praise from his supporters but drawing criticism from many conservatives.
Boebert, among the critics, took to social media to voice her opposition to the president’s remarks during the speech. However, her approach this year was notably more restrained compared to her actions in 2022.
In that year’s State of the Union, she vocally disrupted Biden’s address, but in 2023, she adopted a softer approach after facing backlash for her behavior.
While Boebert did not directly heckle Biden during this year’s address, she used her social media platforms to criticize the president’s policies and statements. Her posts focused on immigration, taxes, and reproductive rights, echoing the sentiments of many conservatives who have been critical of Biden’s administration.
Boebert’s social media activity on Thursday night stood in stark contrast to her behavior during Biden’s 2022 State of the Union address, where she made headlines for loudly heckling the president. Her disruptive actions drew widespread condemnation, with many accusing her of disrespecting the office of the president.
In the aftermath of the 2022 State of the Union, Boebert faced calls for censure and criticism from both Democrats and Republicans. Some of her fellow Republicans expressed unease with her behavior, suggesting that it was counterproductive and did not reflect well on the party.
It appears that Boebert took this criticism to heart, as her approach to Biden’s 2023 State of the Union was markedly different. Instead of heckling the president, she chose to express her opposition through social media, a platform that allows her to reach a wide audience without disrupting the proceedings.
Boebert’s decision to tone down her behavior during this year’s State of the Union may be a sign that she is trying to present a more measured and restrained image. As she gears up for reelection in 2024, she may be seeking to avoid controversy and appeal to a broader base of voters.
Boebert’s social media blitz on Thursday night reflects the ongoing polarization in American politics. As the 2024 presidential election approaches, it is likely that we will see more of this type of behavior from politicians on both sides of the aisle as they seek to rally their bases and appeal to voters.