Far-left Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) appeared to refuse to stand in honor of the last surviving Tuskegee Airmen on Tuesday night during President Donald Trump’s State of the Union Address.
During his speech, Trump said, “Sitting beside Iain tonight is his great hero. Charles McGee was born in Cleveland, Ohio, one century ago. Charles is one of the last surviving Tuskegee Airmen — the first black fighter pilots — and he also happens to be Iain’s great-grandfather. ”
“After more than 130 combat missions in World War II, he came back to a country still struggling for Civil Rights and went on to serve America in Korea and Vietnam,” Trump continued. “On December 7th, Charles celebrated his 100th birthday. A few weeks ago, I signed a bill promoting Charles McGee to Brigadier General. And earlier today, I pinned the stars on his shoulders in the Oval Office. General McGee: Our Nation salutes you.”
When everyone in the room rose to their feet to honor McGee, Omar and Tlaib appeared to sit.
WATCH:
This appears to show far-left Democrat Reps. Rashida Tlaib (MI) and Ilhan Omar (MN) *refusing* to stand for the last surviving Tuskegee Airmen Brig. Gen. Charles McGee
Looks like nearly everyone else stood, except for those two, who didn't want to honor a US hero. (At very end) pic.twitter.com/XfOp9B0nSN
— Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) February 5, 2020
Reporter Ben Jacobs first noticed Omar and Tlaib’s decision to not honor the American hero, writing on Twitter: “A small cluster of Democrats including Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar and Mark Pocan don’t stand for Charles McGee, the former Tuskegee Airman introduced by Trump.”
A small cluster of Democrats including Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar and Mark Pocan don't stand for Charles McGee, the former Tuskegee Airman introduced by Trump
— Ben Jacobs (@Bencjacobs) February 5, 2020
Prior to honoring McGee, Trump highlighted how his administration has beefed up the military to deal with threats facing the United States, including socialism.
“As we restore American leadership throughout the world, we are once again standing up for freedom in our hemisphere. That is why my Administration reversed the failing policies of the previous administration on Cuba,” Trump said. “We are supporting the hopes of Cubans, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans to restore democracy. The United States is leading a 59-nation diplomatic coalition against the socialist dictator of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro.”
“Maduro is an illegitimate ruler, a tyrant who brutalizes his people. But Maduro’s grip of tyranny will be smashed and broken,” Trump continued. “Here this evening is a man who carries with him the hopes, dreams, and aspirations of all Venezuelans. Joining us in the gallery is the true and legitimate President of Venezuela, Juan Guaidó. Mr. President, please take this message back to your homeland. All Americans are united with the Venezuelan people in their righteous struggle for freedom! Socialism destroys nations. But always remember, freedom unifies the soul.”
“To safeguard American Liberty, we have invested a record-breaking $2.2 trillion in the United States Military,” Trump continued. “We have purchased the finest planes, missiles, rockets, ships, and every other form of military equipment — all made in the United States of America. We are also finally getting our allies to help pay their fair share. I have raised contributions from the other NATO members by more than $400 billion, and the number of allies meeting their minimum obligations has more than doubled.”
“And just weeks ago, for the first time since President Truman established the Air Force more than 70 years earlier, we created a new branch of the United States Armed Forces, the Space Force,” Trump concluded.