Congressional Democrats refused to stand during President Donald Trump’s Tuesday night State of the Union address when he asked lawmakers to show support for prioritizing American citizens over illegal immigrants.
“I’m inviting every legislator to join with my administration in reaffirming a fundamental principle,” Trump said. “If you agree with this statement, then stand up and show your support: The first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens.”
Republican lawmakers stood while Democrats remained seated.
“Isn’t that a shame? You should be ashamed of yourself, not standing up,” Trump said. “That is why I’m also asking you to end deadly sanctuary cities that protect the criminals and enact serious penalties for public officials who block the removal of criminal aliens.”
That moment was one of several throughout the night when Trump confronted Democrat lawmakers for refusing to stand.
Later during his speech, Trump introduced Sage Blair, a Virginia teen who was taken from her parents after they declined to support her “assertion of a male gender identity,” according to a counselor’s testimony. Blair ultimately returned to her parents following a lengthy legal battle.
“Surely we can all agree no state can be allowed to rip children from their parents’ arms and transition them to a new gender against the parents’ will. Who can believe that we’re even talking about it? We must ban it, and we must ban it immediately,” Trump said.
That line drew applause from Republicans, while Democrats remained seated.
“Look, nobody stands up. These people are crazy. I’m telling you, they’re crazy,” Trump said.
At another point in the address, Trump spoke about the murder of 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska, who was stabbed to death on a bus in Charlotte, North Carolina. The man accused in the killing has an extensive criminal record. Democrats remained seated when Trump introduced Zarutska’s mother, Anna, and vowed to get justice for her daughter.
“Mrs. Zarutska, tonight I promise you that we will ensure justice for your magnificent daughter, Iryna,” Trump said, earning support from Republican lawmakers.
“How do you not stand?” Trump asked, gesturing toward the Democrat side of the chamber.
The moment earned criticism from other Republican lawmakers.
“If Democrats couldn’t stand for Iryna Zarutska’s grieving mother last night, they won’t stand for any victim. She wept feet away, and they stayed seated,” Rep Mark Harris (R-NC) told The Daily Wire. “Their silence says it all: Democrats care more about criminals than victims.”
Democrats also remained seated as Trump highlighted his administration’s border security efforts and record stock market gains in the last year. Trump’s address broke the record for the longest State of the Union in history.
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