by John Binder
Rep. Janelle Bynum (D-OR) says President Donald Trump’s asking lawmakers to stand for American citizens over illegal aliens was “thinly veiled racist language.”
During Trump’s first State of the Union (SOTU) address of his second term, he asked members of Congress to “stand up if you agree with this statement: The first duty of American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens.”
In response, all Republicans present stood for the statement, while no Democrats present stood up. Footage of Democrats has quickly gone viral as nearly all did not clap for the statement either.
.@POTUS: "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."
*DEMOCRATS REMAIN SEATED*
SICK! pic.twitter.com/u76p44tUad
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) February 25, 2026