News Opinons Politics

Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar Stay Seated While Tuskegee Airman Is Honored with Standing Ovation

As a divided Washington took an emotional moment Tuesday night to honor one of the last remaining heroes of World War II, two progressive lawmakers appeared unwilling to join in honoring one of the last surviving members of the legendary Tuskegee Airmen.

Video from President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address shows Reps. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan seated while other Democrats — who throughout the speech mostly refused to join Republicans in applauding Trump — stood to honor Charles McGee.


Preliminary autopsy reveals possible cause of death for missing 4-year-old Alabama boy Johnathan Boley
Federal judge blocks Trump from cutting childcare funds to Democratic states over fraud concerns
California driver allegedly kills 2 more people while out on bail for previous fatal crash
Picking the right fight: Congressional tensions rise in wake of Minnesota ICE-involved shooting
Thomas Paine Set America Afire with ‘Common Sense’ 250 Years Ago: Pamphlet Made Case for Revolutionary War
USDA immediately suspends all federal funding to Minnesota amid fraud investigation
Border Patrol agent hugs protester in heartwarming moment caught on video during Minnesota operation
California projects $3 billion deficit as outside forecasts show bigger shortfall
‘Jeopardy!’ Host Ken Jennings Wants Trump Administration Jailed, Vows to Vote for Candidate Who Will ‘Prosecute’
Trump administration to investigate refugee status of Minnesota residents
Fox News Politics Newsletter: AOC accuses Vance of believing ‘American people should be assassinated’
Hundreds of opposition members still imprisoned as Venezuela plays nice with Trump
Video: Jasmine Crockett’s Brain Breaks as She Claims Dems Were Civil After Charlie Kirk’s Murder – Let’s Go to the Video Tape
Noem praises DHS officers on Law Enforcement Appreciation Day as attacks on federal agents spike nationwide
Trump wears ‘happy Trump’ pin alongside American flag during White House oil executive meeting


McGee was a member of the Tuskegee Airmen, a unit of black aviators who were barred from fighting and flying alongside whites during the era of segregation. The Tuskegee Airmen distinguished themselves in combat during World War II.

“After more than 130 combat missions in World War II, he came back to a country still struggling for civil rights and went on to serve America in Korea and Vietnam. On Dec. 7, Charles celebrated his 100th birthday,” Trump said in honoring McGee.

See also  Tim Walz to hold press conference on Monday amid rumors he will not run for reelection

“A few weeks ago, I signed a bill promoting Charles McGee to brigadier general. And earlier today, I pinned the stars on his shoulders in the Oval Office. General McGee: Our nation salutes you,” Trump said.

As Republicans and Democrats rose to applaud McGee, Omar and Tlaib did not.

Democratic Rep. James E. Clyburn of South Carolina also failed to applaud, The Washington Post reported.


Preliminary autopsy reveals possible cause of death for missing 4-year-old Alabama boy Johnathan Boley
Federal judge blocks Trump from cutting childcare funds to Democratic states over fraud concerns
California driver allegedly kills 2 more people while out on bail for previous fatal crash
Picking the right fight: Congressional tensions rise in wake of Minnesota ICE-involved shooting
Thomas Paine Set America Afire with ‘Common Sense’ 250 Years Ago: Pamphlet Made Case for Revolutionary War
USDA immediately suspends all federal funding to Minnesota amid fraud investigation
Border Patrol agent hugs protester in heartwarming moment caught on video during Minnesota operation
California projects $3 billion deficit as outside forecasts show bigger shortfall
‘Jeopardy!’ Host Ken Jennings Wants Trump Administration Jailed, Vows to Vote for Candidate Who Will ‘Prosecute’
Trump administration to investigate refugee status of Minnesota residents
Fox News Politics Newsletter: AOC accuses Vance of believing ‘American people should be assassinated’
Hundreds of opposition members still imprisoned as Venezuela plays nice with Trump
Video: Jasmine Crockett’s Brain Breaks as She Claims Dems Were Civil After Charlie Kirk’s Murder – Let’s Go to the Video Tape
Noem praises DHS officers on Law Enforcement Appreciation Day as attacks on federal agents spike nationwide
Trump wears ‘happy Trump’ pin alongside American flag during White House oil executive meeting

See also  Fox News garnered highest non-election year ratings in 2025, beating CNN and NBC

Tlaib and Omar were among those who left the speech early, according to The Week.

Both tweeted their condemnations of Trump on Tuesday:

Many on social media were disgusted at the disrespect shown to McGee:

At another point during the speech, Omar and Tlaib were seen conversing with each other:

And as the video below reveals, Omar and Tlaib were among those who remained seated when Trump proclaimed, “We must always remember that our job is to put America first.”


Preliminary autopsy reveals possible cause of death for missing 4-year-old Alabama boy Johnathan Boley
Federal judge blocks Trump from cutting childcare funds to Democratic states over fraud concerns
California driver allegedly kills 2 more people while out on bail for previous fatal crash
Picking the right fight: Congressional tensions rise in wake of Minnesota ICE-involved shooting
Thomas Paine Set America Afire with ‘Common Sense’ 250 Years Ago: Pamphlet Made Case for Revolutionary War
USDA immediately suspends all federal funding to Minnesota amid fraud investigation
Border Patrol agent hugs protester in heartwarming moment caught on video during Minnesota operation
California projects $3 billion deficit as outside forecasts show bigger shortfall
‘Jeopardy!’ Host Ken Jennings Wants Trump Administration Jailed, Vows to Vote for Candidate Who Will ‘Prosecute’
Trump administration to investigate refugee status of Minnesota residents
Fox News Politics Newsletter: AOC accuses Vance of believing ‘American people should be assassinated’
Hundreds of opposition members still imprisoned as Venezuela plays nice with Trump
Video: Jasmine Crockett’s Brain Breaks as She Claims Dems Were Civil After Charlie Kirk’s Murder – Let’s Go to the Video Tape
Noem praises DHS officers on Law Enforcement Appreciation Day as attacks on federal agents spike nationwide
Trump wears ‘happy Trump’ pin alongside American flag during White House oil executive meeting

See also  DOJ sends prosecutors to Minnesota amid widening fraud investigation

The Democrats’ behavior was not unexpected.

“My Democratic colleagues, they sat on their hands last time, even when there wasn’t an impeachment,” Republican Rep. Mark Meadows of North Carolina told The Post before the speech. “They’ll sit on their hands this time, in spite of impeachment.”

Story cited here.

Share this article:
Share on Facebook
Facebook
Tweet about this on Twitter
Twitter