President Donald Trump sharply criticized congressional Democrats after most of them did not stand for moments intended to unite the chamber, including the killing of Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee slain by a career criminal with a long rap sheet.
While discussing immigration policy, Trump said illegal border crossings have largely halted during his administration after record highs under the Biden presidency.
He specifically targeted sanctuary city policies that prevent local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration agents on deportations.
States and cities without those policies allow immigration agents to remove criminal illegal aliens from jails, avoiding confrontations like those seen in Minneapolis and other sanctuary jurisdictions.
At one point in his address, Trump asked the chamber to stand if they agreed safety for American citizens should be prioritized, and most Democrats remained seated.
This moment occurred amid his warnings about “murderers all over our country” tied to immigration failures as he looked toward the Democratic side of the chamber.
“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.
After many Democrats stayed seated, he added, “You should be ashamed of yourself for not standing up.”
A telling moment from tonight’s SOTU…
Dems refuse to stand after Trump asks anyone to get up if they believe in the statement “The first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens.”
Trump: “You should be ashamed of yourselves.” pic.twitter.com/uGlEYQY6Hk
— Jennie Taer (@JennieSTaer) February 25, 2026
Policy and accountability took center stage.
The address later turned emotional when Trump recognized victims of political violence, including the late Charlie Kirk.
The Republican delegation stood and cheered as Kirk’s widow, Erika, was acknowledged.
Most Democrats again remained seated during that recognition.
Democrats also stayed seated when Trump addressed the parents of Iryna Zarutska, who was stabbed in the neck in an unprovoked attack aboard a Charlotte train.
Zarutska was killed by a homeless man who had been on the streets despite dozens of 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,” the president said.
“She died instantly,” the president said.
“She had escaped a brutal war only to be slain by a hardened criminal, set free to kill in America,” the president said.
Trump urged adoption nationwide of laws like Iryna’s Law, a bipartisan North Carolina measure that restricts the release of violent criminals.
The Republican delegation again stood while most Democrats remained seated.
“You are sick, sick people,” Trump declared while facing congressional Democrats.
🚨 BREAKING: President Trump just memorialized Iryna Zarutska, and introduced her mother, who was crying in the House chamber
Trump LAMBASTED Democrats for REFUSING to stand: “You are sick, SICK people!”
“I promise you we will bring JUSTICE for your magnificent daughter,… pic.twitter.com/HXRL0zxxaU
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) February 25, 2026
