10 photos: Activists don pajamas to troll GOP Rep. David Schweikert

In what is inarguably the most casual political event in recent history, a collection of protesters descended upon a midtown Phoenix labor union building Saturday morning, looking more ready for a nap than a demonstration. Some wore fuzzy pajama pants and a few came decked out in full sleep regalia.

The garb was a joke targeted at Rep. David Schweikert, the conservative Republican who let slip that he'd "fallen asleep" and missed a crucial vote on President Donald Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill" earlier this year. Schweikert's non-vote was the difference-maker on the massive budget measure — the bill passed 215-214 — though Schweikert voted in favor of the amended version of the bill that Trump ultimately signed.

The bill is projected to have widespread negative effects for many Americans — notably, more than 300,000 Arizonans could lose their Medicaid health coverage. Organized by Athena Salman of the Arizona chapter of Reproductive Freedom for All, Saturday morning's "Sleepy Schweikert Snoozefest" aimed to put pressure on Schweikert and bring attention to the harm the bill will cause.

The energy was anything but sleepy, though. Attendees scarfed down gourmet muffins and coffee as they competed in a pajama contest, winning sleep-related paraphernalia like sleep masks and coffee beans as prizes. They also buzzed through a trivia game. One question: “In 2022, Rep. Schweikert was sued by a private citizen for using his image without consent on mailers sent to tens of thousands of voters that were considered…” Answer: "Homophobic.”

The honored not-quite-guest of the event was Schweikert, whose Scottsdale- and Paradise Valley-based district doesn't actually encompass the protest's location. While not there in person, Schweikert was amply represented by postcards, placards, life-size cutouts and even larger portraits of him plastered everywhere and inescapable throughout the building. Most of the images showed him either preparing to slumber or already zonked out. At some point during the morning, an inflatable Trump dropped by for an impromptu visit.

But the morning ended on a solemn note as speakers talked about the grave and sometimes ghastly effects of the budget bill and its associated cuts. Christine Shaw explained how she could not have gone to graduate school without Pell Grants, which the budget bill will limit thanks to new eligibility requirements. “I guess I’m a parasite,” she said, referring to a repeated claim from the right that those who receive benefits are leeching off the government.

The event closed with a wrenching account from Alastair Power and Jennifer Dunn, who related how the dramatic cuts to Medicaid will affect their son Atticus, who was born prematurely at 24 weeks and has cerebral palsy. “Every day is a struggle, and he continues to struggle," Dunn said. "Because of David Schweikert and sleeping on the most important bill in history…he’s going to gut and remove Medicaid from my child."

A photo of Atticus was projected on the wall beside her.

“These people have faces, that’s Atticus,” Dunn said emotionally, her voice cracking. “When you go home tonight, I want you to think about him. I want you who think about who (Schweikert) is attacking. These people have names. He’s not a pariah."

Here are photos from the event.