A handful of Democrats walked out of the chamber in the middle of President Trump Donald John TrumpBarr criticizes DOJ in speech declaring all agency power 'is invested in the attorney general' Military leaders asked about using heat ray on protesters outside White House: report Powell warns failure to reach COVID-19 deal could 'scar and damage' economy MORE’s State of the Union address Tuesday.

Reps. Tim Ryan Timothy (Tim) RyanLincoln Project hits Trump for criticizing Goodyear, 'an American company' Biden defends Goodyear after Trump urges boycott On The Money: Fed officials saw recovery slowing, virus threat growing | Trump urges boycott of Goodyear tires, prompts backlash | Analysis blames monopoly power for income inequality MORE (D-Ohio) and Bill Pascrell William (Bill) James PascrellTrump says people 'in the dark shadows' are controlling Biden Democrats tear into Trump's 'deep state' tweet: His 'lies and recklessness' have 'killed people' Two Democrats call for criminal inquiry of postmaster general MORE (D-N.J.) hammered the president in statements when explaining their decision to leave the address early.

“I just walked out of the #StateOfTheUnion. I’ve had enough. It’s like watching professional wrestling. It’s all fake,” Ryan tweeted.

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I just walked out of the #StateOfTheUnion. I’ve had enough. It’s like watching professional wrestling. It’s all fake. — Congressman Tim Ryan (@RepTimRyan) February 5, 2020

“I just walked out of the #StateOfTheUnion. I can’t stand a liar. This man’s presidency is a national tragedy,” Pascrell tweeted.

I just walked out of the #StateOfTheUnion. I can’t stand a liar. This man’s presidency is a national tragedy. — Bill Pascrell, Jr. (@BillPascrell) February 5, 2020

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House Rules Committee Chairman Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) was also seen leaving the House chamber during the speech and the seats for Reps. Ilhan Omar Ilhan OmarDemocrats scramble on COVID-19 relief amid division, Trump surprise Larry Kudlow defends response to coronavirus: Trump 'led wisely' The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by National Industries for the Blind - Woodward book revelations rock Washington MORE (D-Minn.) and Rashida Tlaib Rashida Harbi TlaibGeorge Conway: 'Trump is like a practical joke that got out of hand' Pelosi endorses Kennedy in Massachusetts Senate primary challenge The Democratic Party platform represents our big tent MORE (D-Mich.) were empty before the address was finished.

Tlaib later explained that Trump's remarks regarding food stamps were "beneath the dignity of the office he occupies" and McGovern said the president "turned the State of the Union into a campaign rally."

I walked out of that speech. The lies, the bigotry, and the shameless bragging about taking away food stamps that people depend on to live—it was all beneath the dignity of the office he occupies. Shame on this forever impeached president. — Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) February 5, 2020

Omar's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The State of the Union address came at a time of heightened tension on Capitol Hill in the midst of the Senate’s impeachment trial and at the outset of an election year in which several members of the upper chamber are running for the chance to challenge the president in November.