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.
Dark money floods Virginia ahead of redistricting vote that could hand Democrats House edge
US falls behind in hypersonic race as China, Russia gain edge
European Court of Justice declares Hungary cannot ban ‘promotion of homosexuality’ among minors
Kevin Warsh says he never made any promises on interest rates to Trump
Trump Says Ceasefire Has Been ‘Violated Numerous Times’ as Iran Threatens to Deploy ‘New Cards on the Battlefield’
‘Traitor’ Dem senator ripped after one-word reaction appears to cheer on Iran
Alert: 26 Christians Kidnapped in 8 Days by Muslims Fulani Terrorists in Nigeria
Hiker identified, popular trail closed after deadly fall at Utah’s Zion National Park
Byron Donalds cracks down on persistent border blind spot leaving US vulnerable to overstays
DOJ Reveals How Biden Weaponized the Government Against Anti-Abortion Activists
Suspect allegedly guns down deputy in ambush during routine call that rocked quiet town, police say
Trump Names New Acting Labor Secretary as Chavez-DeRemer Resigns
Ex-Trump ally MTG slams both sides of the political aisle: ‘Nothing ever changes’
Dem hopeful who co-founded Joe Rogan’s favorite jeans under fire for ‘Made in America’ claim
What to watch as Virginia voters decide high-stakes redistricting referendum
This appears to show far-left Democrat Reps. Rashida Tlaib (MI) and Ilhan Omar (MN) *refusing* to stand for the last surviving Tuskegee Airmen Brig. Gen. Charles McGee
Looks like nearly everyone else stood, except for those two, who didn't want to honor a US hero. (At very end) pic.twitter.com/XfOp9B0nSN
— Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) February 5, 2020
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.
Truly amazing and wonderful: Tuskegee Airman Charles McGee, 100, honored by President Trump https://t.co/xSEgRh71rQ @MailOnline
— Tony Shaffer (@T_S_P_O_O_K_Y) February 5, 2020
“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.
Dark money floods Virginia ahead of redistricting vote that could hand Democrats House edge
US falls behind in hypersonic race as China, Russia gain edge
European Court of Justice declares Hungary cannot ban ‘promotion of homosexuality’ among minors
Kevin Warsh says he never made any promises on interest rates to Trump
Trump Says Ceasefire Has Been ‘Violated Numerous Times’ as Iran Threatens to Deploy ‘New Cards on the Battlefield’
‘Traitor’ Dem senator ripped after one-word reaction appears to cheer on Iran
Alert: 26 Christians Kidnapped in 8 Days by Muslims Fulani Terrorists in Nigeria
Hiker identified, popular trail closed after deadly fall at Utah’s Zion National Park
Byron Donalds cracks down on persistent border blind spot leaving US vulnerable to overstays
DOJ Reveals How Biden Weaponized the Government Against Anti-Abortion Activists
Suspect allegedly guns down deputy in ambush during routine call that rocked quiet town, police say
Trump Names New Acting Labor Secretary as Chavez-DeRemer Resigns
Ex-Trump ally MTG slams both sides of the political aisle: ‘Nothing ever changes’
Dem hopeful who co-founded Joe Rogan’s favorite jeans under fire for ‘Made in America’ claim
What to watch as Virginia voters decide high-stakes redistricting referendum
Tlaib and Omar were among those who left the speech early, according to The Week.
Both tweeted their condemnations of Trump on Tuesday:
I walked out of that speech. The lies, the bigotry, and the shameless bragging about taking away food stamps that people depend on to live—it was all beneath the dignity of the office he occupies. Shame on this forever impeached president.
— Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) February 5, 2020
This impeached president is not legitimate.
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) February 4, 2020
Many on social media were disgusted at the disrespect shown to McGee:
I dunno.. I kind of think America also looks like Charles McGee, WWII veteran and retired Tuskegee Airman. And you stayed in your seat for him. https://t.co/LGLDeElI09
— Stephen Miller (@redsteeze) February 5, 2020
A small cluster of #Democrats including #RashidaTlaib, #IlhanOmar and #MarkPocan don't stand for Charles McGee, the former Tuskegee Airman introduced by Trump. They sit for a 100 year old Black American Hero. #NoShariaLawEver
— GollyWoody (@Hollywoodtownca) February 5, 2020
At another point during the speech, Omar and Tlaib were seen conversing with each other:
