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.


Kentucky governor calls on McConnell to prove he is fit to serve or resign: ‘Address the people’
Lindsay Clancy’s ex-husband details pill use as expert says evidence could shape murder trial
BTK killer Dennis Rader’s daughter Kerri Rawson hit with domestic violence injunction: report
Murdered 9-year-old begged not to go on trip with dad months before he allegedly killed her, mom testifies
Thune soft-pedals adding Trump’s request for debt limit curveball to GOP budget bill
Breaking: Iran Launches Missiles at US Base in Surprise Attack – US Forces Downed Every Single One
New Maine law limits police cooperation with federal immigration officials
GOP governor survives challenge from Bitcoin evangelist in gubernatorial runoff
A 16-Year-Old Lifeguard’s ‘Heroic’ Rescue Earns Him a Trip to the White House After Trump Sees Footage
Daughter of late House Dem forced into runoff after falling short in special election
Mamdani Slammed for ‘Reckless and Foolish’ Doxxing of Thousands of Wealthy New Yorkers
Charlie Kirk murder case as ‘straight-forward’ as it gets, prosecutors argue as case nears trial decision
White House Issues Update After High-Stakes Meetings with Netanyahu and Zelenskyy
WJ Straw Poll: Rubio Dominates Field, Passes Up JD Vance
Putin, Russia put on notice as Senate takes crucial step to grind down the Kremlin’s war machine


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.

“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.


Kentucky governor calls on McConnell to prove he is fit to serve or resign: ‘Address the people’
Lindsay Clancy’s ex-husband details pill use as expert says evidence could shape murder trial
BTK killer Dennis Rader’s daughter Kerri Rawson hit with domestic violence injunction: report
Murdered 9-year-old begged not to go on trip with dad months before he allegedly killed her, mom testifies
Thune soft-pedals adding Trump’s request for debt limit curveball to GOP budget bill
Breaking: Iran Launches Missiles at US Base in Surprise Attack – US Forces Downed Every Single One
New Maine law limits police cooperation with federal immigration officials
GOP governor survives challenge from Bitcoin evangelist in gubernatorial runoff
A 16-Year-Old Lifeguard’s ‘Heroic’ Rescue Earns Him a Trip to the White House After Trump Sees Footage
Daughter of late House Dem forced into runoff after falling short in special election
Mamdani Slammed for ‘Reckless and Foolish’ Doxxing of Thousands of Wealthy New Yorkers
Charlie Kirk murder case as ‘straight-forward’ as it gets, prosecutors argue as case nears trial decision
White House Issues Update After High-Stakes Meetings with Netanyahu and Zelenskyy
WJ Straw Poll: Rubio Dominates Field, Passes Up JD Vance
Putin, Russia put on notice as Senate takes crucial step to grind down the Kremlin’s war machine

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.”


Kentucky governor calls on McConnell to prove he is fit to serve or resign: ‘Address the people’
Lindsay Clancy’s ex-husband details pill use as expert says evidence could shape murder trial
BTK killer Dennis Rader’s daughter Kerri Rawson hit with domestic violence injunction: report
Murdered 9-year-old begged not to go on trip with dad months before he allegedly killed her, mom testifies
Thune soft-pedals adding Trump’s request for debt limit curveball to GOP budget bill
Breaking: Iran Launches Missiles at US Base in Surprise Attack – US Forces Downed Every Single One
New Maine law limits police cooperation with federal immigration officials
GOP governor survives challenge from Bitcoin evangelist in gubernatorial runoff
A 16-Year-Old Lifeguard’s ‘Heroic’ Rescue Earns Him a Trip to the White House After Trump Sees Footage
Daughter of late House Dem forced into runoff after falling short in special election
Mamdani Slammed for ‘Reckless and Foolish’ Doxxing of Thousands of Wealthy New Yorkers
Charlie Kirk murder case as ‘straight-forward’ as it gets, prosecutors argue as case nears trial decision
White House Issues Update After High-Stakes Meetings with Netanyahu and Zelenskyy
WJ Straw Poll: Rubio Dominates Field, Passes Up JD Vance
Putin, Russia put on notice as Senate takes crucial step to grind down the Kremlin’s war machine

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