Democrats sure made an absolute mess of things for themselves during the State of the Union on Tuesday night, walking into traps President Donald Trump set for them on issues like so-called gender transition care for children, fraud in Minnesota, violent repeat offenders, and illegal immigrant crime.
Where they made perhaps their worst mistake was in thinking it would be a good look to sit on their hands after Trump stated, “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.”
As we reported, not a single Democrat stood. “You should be ashamed of yourself for not standing up,” Trump pointed out, looking directly at the Congressional Democrats in attendance who remained seated. “You should be ashamed of yourself.”
READ MORE: The Trump SOTU Moment That Could Win Republicans the Midterms
Trump May Just Have Destroyed the Democrat Party (VIP)
As we also shared, Democrats have gotten a lot of blowback over the incident, with the NRCC noting on Wednesday that the moment was tailor-made for campaign ads:
Statement to FOX via NRCC spokesman Mike Marinella: “Every single vulnerable House Democrat should get comfortable re-watching the moment they revealed they’re nothing more than America-hating scums who stayed glued to their seats while President Trump called on protecting American citizens over criminal illegal immigrants. The ads write themselves.”
Sen. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), who continues to face calls from some Democrats for a 2028 primary challenge over their belief that he doesn’t stand up enough to Trump, was asked about the Democrats’ failure to stand in agreement with the statement about how it was their “first duty… to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens.”
Let’s just say his answer only made matters worse for his party.
“Of course, we support Americans. We’re not going to be a prop in Donald Trump’s little show,” he remarked in response to the question.
NEW: I just asked Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) why Democrats didn’t stand when President Trump asked Congress to stand for Americans over illegal immigrants, and if it was a political mistake to stay seated?
Schumer: “Of course we support Americans. We’re not…
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) February 25, 2026
Watch:
Chuck Schumer says Democrats didn’t stand when President Trump said our government should work for Americans, not illegals because he didn’t want to be a “prop.”
Democrats have made it clear: they do not care about the American people. pic.twitter.com/tLcmycJnmO
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) February 25, 2026
As far as answers go, that was about as lame – and revealing – as it gets.
Firstly, they wouldn’t have looked like a “prop” had they stood and applauded in agreement with Trump’s statement anymore than they would have if he had called on them to stand up if they agreed that it was their job to abide by the Constitution (something else they wouldn’t have stood up for).
In fact, standing up at that moment wouldn’t have given Trump and the GOP the gift of them not standing up to use against them. Just a really dumb move.
But note what Schumer didn’t say when answering the question on the Democrats’ refusal to stand up. He didn’t say, “Of course, we support Americans over illegal immigrants.” He just said, “Of course, we support Americans.”
Big difference.
The next time around, Schumer and other Democrat members of Congress need to be directly confronted by reporters and asked if they believe it’s their first duty to protect American citizens, not illegal immigrants. Few, if any, will give the right answer, and the more they dodge and weave around the question, the worse it’s going to get for them.
Editor’s Note: With President Trump back in the White House, the state of our Union is strong once again.
Please support RedState’s coverage of the president’s State of the Union Address and help us report the truth the radical Left doesn’t want you to hear. Join RedState VIP and use promo code POTUS47 to get 74% off your VIP membership.
