President Trump did not hold back when he addressed Congress and called out what he saw as a stunning lack of basic decency from many Democrats in the chamber.
During his remarks on immigration and public safety, President Trump pointed to the murder of Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee who escaped a brutal war only to be killed in the United States. According to authorities, Zarutska was stabbed in the neck in an unprovoked attack aboard a Charlotte train by a homeless man with a lengthy criminal record. Despite dozens of prior arrests for violent offenses, he was back on the streets.
As President Trump described the crime, he painted a vivid and emotional picture. “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,” he said.
He then asked members of Congress to stand if they agreed with a simple statement. “Stand up if you agree with this statement: The first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens.” Republicans rose to their feet. Most Democrats remained seated.
The visual divide was unmistakable. President Trump looked directly at the Democratic side of the chamber and said, “You should be ashamed of yourself for not standing up.” Later in the speech, he went further, telling them, “You are sick, sick people.”
The moment came as President Trump touted a dramatic drop in illegal border crossings under his administration compared to record highs during the Biden years. He criticized sanctuary city policies that bar local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration agents. In states without those policies, immigration authorities can pick up criminal illegal aliens directly from jails, avoiding dangerous street confrontations like those seen in Minneapolis and other sanctuary jurisdictions.
The address also honored other victims of political violence, including the late Charlie Kirk. When Kirk’s widow, Erika, was recognized, Republicans stood and applauded. Most Democrats stayed seated.
President Trump called for nationwide adoption of measures like Iryna’s Law, a bipartisan bill passed in North Carolina that restricts the release of violent offenders. Again, Republicans stood. Again, most Democrats did not.
These moments are typically opportunities for unity. Supporting crime victims and affirming that the government’s first responsibility is to protect its citizens should not be controversial. Yet the chamber appeared deeply divided, not just over policy, but over whether to visibly endorse that principle.
For President Trump, the message was clear. Public safety and border enforcement remain central to his agenda. And in his view, if lawmakers cannot stand for that, voters should take notice.
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