‘You Are SICK’: Trump Torches Dems For Refusing To Stand In Honor Of Iryna Zarutska
President Donald Trump took direct aim at congressional Democrats when the majority of them refused to stand for moments that should be unifying, such as the murder of Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee who was murdered by a career criminal with a lengthy rap sheet.
While discussing immigration policy, Trump noted that illegal border crossings have largely halted during his administration after record highs under the Biden presidency. He took direct aim at “sanctuary city” policies, which bar city law enforcement personnel from working with federal immigration agents on deportations.
States and cities that do not have these policies allow immigration agents to pick up criminal illegal aliens from jails, which avoids messy confrontations like those seen in Minneapolis and other “sanctuary cities.”
At one point during his address, Trump explicitly asked the audience to stand if they agreed with prioritizing American citizens’ safety, leading to a stark visual divide where most Democrats remained seated. This occurred during a discussion of “murderers all over our country” linked to immigration failures, with Trump staring down the Democratic side of the chamber.
“Stand up if you agree with this statement: The first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens,” the president said. After many Democrats stayed seated, he added, “You should be ashamed of yourself for not standing up.”
A telling moment from tonight’s SOTU…
Dems refuse to stand after Trump asks anyone to get up if they believe in the statement “The first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens.”
Trump: “You should be ashamed of yourselves.” pic.twitter.com/uGlEYQY6Hk
— Jennie Taer (@JennieSTaer) February 25, 2026
The address later took on an emotional tone when Trump recognized victims of political violence, including the late Charlie Kirk. The Republican delegation stood up and cheered as Kirk’s widow, Erika, was recognized. Most Democrats remained seated.
Democrats also remained seated when Trump addressed the parents of the late Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee who was stabbed in the neck in an unprovoked attack aboard a Charlotte train. Zarutska was killed by a homeless man who was on the streets despite dozens of arrests for violent offenses.
“No one will EVER forget the expression of terror on Iryna’s face as she looked up at her attacker, the last seconds of her life. She died instantly. She had escaped a brutal war only to be slain by a hardened criminal, set free to kill in America,” the president said.
Trump then called for laws like Iryna’s Law — a bipartisan bill passed by the North Carolina legislature that imposes restrictions on allowing violent criminals to be released — to be adopted nationwide. The Republican delegation once again stood, while most Democrats remained seated.
“You are sick, sick people,” Trump declared while facing congressional Democrats.
🚨 BREAKING: President Trump just memorialized Iryna Zarutska, and introduced her mother, who was crying in the House chamber
Trump LAMBASTED Democrats for REFUSING to stand: “You are sick, SICK people!”
“I promise you we will bring JUSTICE for your magnificent daughter,… pic.twitter.com/HXRL0zxxaU
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) February 25, 2026