Rep. Janelle Bynum (D., Ore.) described President Donald Trump’s request that lawmakers stand if they believe the first duty of government is to protect American citizens as “racist” and said the moment made her “uncomfortable.”
In his Tuesday State of the Union, Trump made a request to lawmakers in the House chamber, “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,” he said. Almost no Democrats stood.
When asked what she thought about Trump’s question, Bynum said, “I think you can agree with the ‘what,’ like standing up for American citizens. But I disagreed with the ‘how.’”
“There’s thinly veiled racist language, anti-immigrant language in what he was asking and that was uncomfortable,” she continued.
Bynum wasn’t the only Democrat to slam Trump’s address. Rep. Robin Kelly (D., Ill.) made light of Trump’s presentation of military awards, including the Medal of Honor, to veterans during his address. “It was like an award show, ‘You get a medal! You get a medal! You get a medal!’”
Trump honored five military members with awards for their service, including two Medals of Honor. Army chief warrant officer Eric Slover, who was wounded as a helicopter pilot in the raid to capture Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro, received the nation’s highest award for valor in action. So did 100-year-old retired Navy Capt. Royce Williams, who Trump said had a “legendary dogfight” with seven Soviet pilots during the Korean War. Trump also gave out two Purple Hearts and one Legion of Merit award.
Even though most Democrats did not stand for Trump’s question about prioritizing American citizens, they were compelled to rise when he honored the U.S. men’s hockey team for winning its first Olympic gold medal since 1980.
“Our country is winning again,” Trump said. A majority of the chamber, including a number of Democrats, stood in applause as members of the team entered. “That’s the first time I’ve ever seen them get up,” Trump said. “And, actually, not all of them did get up.” They all appeared to stand when he mention the U.S. women’s hockey team, who also beat Canada in the final.
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