Van Hollen Announces Skye Perryman, President & CEO of Democracy Forward, as Guest to Trump Joint Address

Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) announced that Skye Perryman, President & CEO of Democracy Forward, will be attending President Trump’s Joint Address to Congress as his guest. Democracy Forward has helped lead the charge to protect our federal employees and the critical work they do in response to the illegal actions being taken by Trump and Musk. They led the first litigation against the Administration’s illegal funding freeze, obtaining a nationwide preliminary injunction that blocked OMB from taking further action. They also successfully petitioned the Office of Special Counsel to overturn the termination of six probationary employees, resulting in the Merit Systems Protection Board upholding of their reinstatement. These cases are in addition to other successful litigation efforts, such as blocking enforcement of the Administration’s anti-DEI order and a hold on efforts to dissolve the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. 

“Skye Perryman and Democracy Forward are on the front lines of the efforts to fight back in court against the torrent of illegal actions by Trump and Musk. Democracy Forward is defending our democracy every day, from protecting federal employees and the essential services they provide to the American public to working to ensure that investments made by Congress in our community and national priorities are spent as intended. As President Trump delivers his address this Tuesday, we’re fighting back 24/7 against his and Musk’s lawless actions – and that fight will be front and center, in Congress, in the courts, and in our communities. We will continue to stand up and speak out against the havoc they are wreaking on our workers and Americans they serve,” said Senator Van Hollen.

"Instead of governing for all Americans, the Trump-Vance administration has spent the past several weeks wreaking havoc on the American people, including those Americans who serve all of us and our communities: our non-partisan, independent federal workforce. I am honored to attend tomorrow's address with Senator Van Hollen in support of the civil servants who should be celebrated by the President, but instead are being targeted by the administration. Democracy Forward and our partners are working day and night to protect people and our democracy, securing major victories that are making a real difference for people. That difference is important, but it is going to take a continued effort in the courts as well as a continued effort by people, communities, and Congress, to stop the harm being created by the Trump-Musk duo. The stakes for all people in this nation, whether in large cities or small towns, whether young or old, whether in red or blue states, could not be higher,” said Skye Perryman, President & CEO of Democracy Forward.