White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt criticized Democrats for falling into a political “trap” set by President Donald Trump during his State of the Union address. She claimed their reaction to Trump recognizing crime victims exposed their true stance on immigration and public safety. Leavitt argued that Democrats support illegal immigration, pointing to policies under the Biden administration that, in her view, allowed millions of illegal immigrants to enter the country. She also cited examples of career criminals being released under lenient policies, one of whom was involved in the death of Iryna Zarutska, whose mother was honored during the speech.
Leavitt emphasized that the Democrats’ refusal to stand for victims like Zarutska and Dalilah Coleman—who suffered long-term brain damage in a car crash with an illegal immigrant truck driver—showed their disregard for American citizens’ safety. She described their actions as “despicable” and praised Trump for using the moment to highlight the contrast between his stance and the Democrats’ policies, particularly regarding crime and immigration. Trump also honored Erika Kirk, the widow of his late friend and Turning Point USA co-founder, Charlie Kirk, but it was the crime victims that sparked the most controversy. Leavitt credited Trump’s idea of challenging lawmakers to stand if they prioritized Americans’ interests over illegal immigrants’ rights, calling it “brilliant.”
During the address, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries struggled to maintain control as several Democratic lawmakers disrupted the speech. Some Democrats even left in protest midway through. Trump seized on the moment when he asked if lawmakers would stand for prioritizing American citizens over illegal aliens. When many Democrats refused, Trump called them out, accusing them of being ashamed for not supporting that priority. The whole situation escalated tensions, with Representatives Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar accusing Trump of being responsible for the deaths of U.S. citizens killed by federal immigration agents.
