President Donald Trump sharply criticized congressional Democrats during his address to a joint session of Congress after many of them remained seated during portions of the speech that focused on immigration policy and victims of violent crime.
During the address, Trump highlighted what he described as a significant reduction in illegal border crossings under his administration compared to record highs during the Biden presidency.
He argued that stricter enforcement policies had led to improved border security and renewed efforts to remove criminal illegal aliens from the country.
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The president directed particular criticism at so-called “sanctuary city” policies, which restrict local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities in deportation efforts.
He noted that in jurisdictions without such policies, immigration agents are able to take custody of criminal illegal aliens directly from jails, reducing the risk of confrontations in the community.
Trump contrasted that approach with what he described as the consequences of sanctuary policies in cities such as Minneapolis and others, where local restrictions have limited cooperation with federal authorities.
At one point in the speech, the president asked lawmakers to stand if they agreed with a specific statement about the role of government in protecting citizens.
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“Stand up if you agree with this statement: The first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens,” the president said.
Republican lawmakers rose to their feet, while most Democrats remained seated, creating a visible divide in the chamber.
After observing the response, Trump added, “You should be ashamed of yourself for not standing up.”
The speech later turned to individual cases involving victims of violent crime.
Trump recognized the late Charlie Kirk, and members of the Republican delegation stood and applauded as his widow, Erika, was acknowledged.
Most Democrats remained seated during that moment as well.
The president also addressed the case of Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee who was killed in an attack aboard a Charlotte train.
According to the president’s remarks, Zarutska was stabbed in the neck in what he described as an unprovoked attack carried out by a homeless man with dozens of prior arrests for violent offenses.
“No one will EVER forget the expression of terror on Iryna’s face as she looked up at her attacker, the last seconds of her life. She died instantly. She had escaped a brutal war only to be slain by a hardened criminal, set free to kill in America,” the president said.
Trump used Zarutska’s case to call for broader adoption of legislation modeled after Iryna’s Law, a bipartisan measure passed by the North Carolina legislature that imposes restrictions on the release of violent criminals.
As he urged lawmakers to consider similar policies nationwide, Republican members again stood and applauded.
Most Democrats remained seated.
Turning toward the Democratic side of the chamber, Trump delivered another rebuke.
“You are sick, sick people,” Trump declared while facing congressional Democrats.
The address showcased deep partisan divisions over immigration policy, public safety, and criminal justice.
Throughout the evening, reactions in the chamber reflected sharp differences between the parties, particularly during moments focused on enforcement policies and victims of violent crime.
The visual contrast between standing and seated lawmakers became one of the defining images of the speech, as Trump repeatedly challenged Congress to align with what he described as the fundamental duty of protecting American citizens.
Watch Trump’s full State of the Union address below:
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