Leavitt Says Dems ‘Fell Right Into’ Trump’s State Of The Union ‘Trap’
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Democratic lawmakers “fell right into” a political trap set by President Donald Trump following Tuesday night’s State of the Union address. Speaking during an interview with Sean Hannity on Fox News, Leavitt argued that Democrats’ reactions during the speech revealed their stance on immigration and public safety.
According to Leavitt, many Democratic lawmakers remained seated when Trump honored victims of violent crime, which she said exposed their priorities. She pointed specifically to the case of Iryna Zarutska, who was killed in a stabbing on a rail platform in Charlotte. Leavitt described the suspect as a repeat offender who had been jailed multiple times. She also highlighted the presence of the victim’s mother, Anna Zarutska, noting that Democrats did not stand when Trump recognized her during the address.
Crime Victims Recognized in Trump’s Address
During the speech, Trump paid tribute to several individuals connected to victims of crime. Despite the emotional moments, most Democrats in the chamber did not stand or applaud. Trump recognized Anna Zarutska and honored 7-year-old Dalilah Coleman, who suffered serious injuries in a car crash involving an illegal immigrant driving a tractor-trailer. The president also acknowledged Erika Kirk, widow of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, co-founder of Turning Point USA.
Leavitt criticized Democrats’ response, calling it “despicable,” while praising Trump for drawing attention to the issue. She said the president intentionally challenged lawmakers to show whether they would stand in support of American citizens over illegal immigrants.
Tensions During the State of the Union
The speech also created tense moments for House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who struggled to maintain unity within the Democratic caucus. Ahead of the address, Jeffries reportedly advised members to show “silent defiance” or skip the speech entirely. However, several lawmakers openly protested during the event.
Representative Al Green was escorted out of the chamber early after holding a sign criticizing a controversial video posted on Truth Social that depicted former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as monkeys. Trump did not respond to the protest and continued speaking.
Walkouts and Strong Reactions
Several Democrats later walked out of the chamber, including Lauren Underwood, Bill Foster, and Madeline Dean. The strongest reaction came when Trump asked lawmakers to stand if they believed American citizens should be prioritized over illegal immigrants.
Many Democrats remained seated, prompting Trump to criticize their response. The moment drew sharp reactions from Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar, who accused the administration of responsibility for the deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good, two U.S. citizens shot by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis earlier this year.