Late Tuesday night, PJ Media posted an article about the Democrats’ response to President Trump at one point in the State of the Union Speech. I am sure that the President’s statement and the Democrat response will be repeated in Republican campaign ads all over the country.
The article reports:
According to reports, more than 70 Democrats chose not to attend the speech, but most did, and several times over the course of the evening, they made a choice. They sat. They scowled. They heckled. While Republicans rose time and again in applause, the left side of the chamber looked like a group of children being punished.
And Trump noticed.
He called them out — repeatedly — for refusing to show even the most basic bipartisan enthusiasm for moments that should have been beyond politics. But nothing cut deeper than one specific challenge he laid down for every lawmaker in that room.
“One of the great things about the State of the Union is how it gives Americans the chance to see clearly what their representatives really believe,” Trump said. “So, tonight, I’m inviting every legislator to join with my administration in reaffirming a fundamental principle. 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.”
Republicans exploded. They stood, clapped, and whistled for a solid two minutes. It was the kind of raw, spontaneous reaction you can’t manufacture.
Democrats didn’t move.
Not a shuffle. Not a courtesy clap. Nothing.
Trump let their refusal to stand do the work for a moment.
Then he turned the knife.
“Isn’t that a shame? You should be ashamed of yourself, not standing up,” he said.
Oh, but he wasn’t done.
He kept going. “That is why I’m also asking you to end deadly sanctuary cities that protect the criminals and enact serious penalties for public officials who block the removal of criminal aliens, in many cases, drug lords, murderers, all over our country. They’re blocking the removal of these people out of our country! And you should be ashamed of yourself.”
At this point, Representatives Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib were shouting at him from their seats.
It was an interesting night.