Former presidential candidate Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH) abruptly walked out of President Donald Trump’s State of the Union Address on Tuesday night.
Announcing his storm-out on social media, Rep. Ryan proudly tweeted: “I just walked out of the #StateOfTheUnion. I’ve had enough. It’s like watching professional wrestling. It’s all fake.”
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
Prior to leaving, Ryan suggested that President Trump was lying about his administration’s economic accomplishments.
“The President spent the first half of his #SOTU speech talking about how great the economy is for American workers, but if that’s true, why are so many Ohioans working [two] or [three] jobs and struggling to make ends meet?” the Ohio Democrat posted.
The President spent the first half of his #SOTU speech talking about how great the economy is for American workers, but if that’s true, why are so many Ohioans working 2 or 3 jobs and struggling to make ends meet?
— Congressman Tim Ryan (@RepTimRyan) February 5, 2020
Republican Christina Hagan, a former Ohio state representative who’s looking to unseat Ryan in 2020, blasted the Democrat for his actions.
Hagan contended Ryan walked out during the portion of Trump’s speech honoring “Angel families,” (families who have had a loved one killed by illegal immigrants), which the Republican found particularly objectionable.
“You walked out while the president was addressing Americans who were killed by illegal immigrants,” Hagan posted via Twitter. “How disrespectful can you be towards your fellow Americans?”
“When I’m elected to replace you, I will always stand with Angel Families!” the Republican added.
You walked out while the President was addressing Americans who were killed by illegal immigrants. How disrespectful can you be towards your fellow Americans? When I’m elected to replace you, I will always stand with Angel Families! 🇺🇸 https://t.co/MxICPywbSX
— Christina Hagan (@RepHagan) February 5, 2020
President Trump called the securing of our Southern border a “moral issue” on Tuesday night.
“We have a moral duty to create an immigration system that protects the lives and jobs of our citizens,” he said, noting that “working-class Americans are left to pay the price for mass illegal migration: Reduced jobs, lower wages, overburdened schools, hospitals that are so crowded you can’t get in, increased crime, and a depleted social safety net. Tolerance for illegal immigration is not compassionate; it is actually very cruel.”
“Year after year, countless Americans are murdered by criminal illegal aliens,” continued Trump. “I’ve gotten to know many wonderful Angel moms and dads, and families. No one should ever have to suffer the horrible heartache that they have had to endure.”
In a statement following her announcement to run against Ryan, Hagan said, “It has become clear that the stakes are too high for strong, principled conservatives to sit on the sidelines.”
“Radical Democrat Congress Members are working every day to undermine the very foundation of our representative republic and the values we hold dear, including the rights of the unborn, the right to bear arms, the right to secure our borders, and defend our jobs from being sent overseas,” she added.
Ryan was not the only Democratic congressman to walk out of the SOTU address mid-speech. According to the New York Post, both Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA) and Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) stormed out, too.
“I left the #SOTU after Trump — a draft dodger who has mocked Sen. John McCain, Gold Star families, and soldiers with traumatic brain injury — started talking about the good he has done for our military,” Moulton posted to Twitter on Tuesday night.
“I just walked out of the #StateOfTheUnion,” Pascrell announced. “I can’t stand a liar. This man’s presidency is a national tragedy.”