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.
WATCH: Handcuffed inmate breaks free, punches deputy in wild courthouse escape attempt
Democrat candidate seen sobbing, praying in patrol car after DUI arrest: Video
Maryland family speaks out after ‘4-foot-long’ rabid beaver attacks 13-year-old boy
Watch: Chaos Erupts at Courthouse When Convict Busts Out of His Handcuffs and Charges Through Sheriff’s Deputies
House Passes Legislation Forcing Data Centers to Foot the Bill for Increased Utility Costs
Dem insurgent turns on the charm with party establishment as Schumer leaves bitter feud hanging
Lawmakers say they are standing at the gates against ‘Trojan horses’ promoting malign foreign interests
Skid Row forgeries, illegal votes and a mayoral candidate: Election fraud cases pile up nationwide
Illegal Alien Sentenced to Prison for Multimillion-Dollar Scheme Against Travis Kelce and Others
National Park Service offers plan to mitigate ‘adverse effects’ of Trump arch
Breaking: LA and Calif. Reeling After Woke, Anti-Trump Antics Drive Out Paramount, Taking up to $21B in Output, 60K Jobs, and $1B in Taxes
Thom Tillis urges Michael Whatley not to shy from ‘healthy disagreement’ with Trump
Would-be Trump assassin Thomas Crooks had Snapchat that may hold evidence ‘treasure trove’: former FBI agent
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Massie saying Johnson is sending the House home early to prevent Hegseth impeachment
Hawley takes aim at ‘corporate welfare’ after GOP-backed tax break boosted controversial industry
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.
WATCH: Handcuffed inmate breaks free, punches deputy in wild courthouse escape attempt
Democrat candidate seen sobbing, praying in patrol car after DUI arrest: Video
Maryland family speaks out after ‘4-foot-long’ rabid beaver attacks 13-year-old boy
Watch: Chaos Erupts at Courthouse When Convict Busts Out of His Handcuffs and Charges Through Sheriff’s Deputies
House Passes Legislation Forcing Data Centers to Foot the Bill for Increased Utility Costs
Dem insurgent turns on the charm with party establishment as Schumer leaves bitter feud hanging
Lawmakers say they are standing at the gates against ‘Trojan horses’ promoting malign foreign interests
Skid Row forgeries, illegal votes and a mayoral candidate: Election fraud cases pile up nationwide
Illegal Alien Sentenced to Prison for Multimillion-Dollar Scheme Against Travis Kelce and Others
National Park Service offers plan to mitigate ‘adverse effects’ of Trump arch
Breaking: LA and Calif. Reeling After Woke, Anti-Trump Antics Drive Out Paramount, Taking up to $21B in Output, 60K Jobs, and $1B in Taxes
Thom Tillis urges Michael Whatley not to shy from ‘healthy disagreement’ with Trump
Would-be Trump assassin Thomas Crooks had Snapchat that may hold evidence ‘treasure trove’: former FBI agent
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Massie saying Johnson is sending the House home early to prevent Hegseth impeachment
Hawley takes aim at ‘corporate welfare’ after GOP-backed tax break boosted controversial industry
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:
