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.


Parents Who Starved Their 75-Day-Old Baby to Death Will Get No Jail Time After Guilty Plea – Guess Who the Judge Is
Fauci’s Fifth fuels vow to haul him into court ‘every day’ despite Biden pardon
‘Like Graham Platner But Worse’: GOP Group Vows $42M Campaign Against Last-Minute Replacement Democrat
Bipartisan pair of senators urge Rubio to release aid to African women, children at risk of Ebola
Florida mail carrier accused of snatching pets on route, trapping 100-plus cats and dogs in ‘hoarding’ house
Savannah Guthrie makes desperate plea six months after mom Nancy went missing: ‘Someone knows something’
Unearthed posts show Heartland Dem candidate rallying in favor of child gender surgery: ‘Radical as it gets’
Democratic Socialists awarded $5.2M in inheritance dispute despite family’s objections
Five Police Officers Arrested and Fired After Abusing Flock Surveillance Cameras
Patient debt adds stress to already tenuous US economy
Fauci repeatedly pressed Pence and Trump aides for more TV appearances as fame exploded, diary shows
Anti-Trump ‘Jeopardy!’ Host Kicks Hornets’ Nest, Triggers Trans Activists with Sarcasm
In Pelosi’s district, a battle over the future of San Francisco Democrats emerges
WATCH: Booker continues to reject SAVE Act despite bombshell NJ voter roll scandal
WATCH: Democrats admit when they’d eliminate the filibuster as SAVE Act fight heats up


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.


Parents Who Starved Their 75-Day-Old Baby to Death Will Get No Jail Time After Guilty Plea – Guess Who the Judge Is
Fauci’s Fifth fuels vow to haul him into court ‘every day’ despite Biden pardon
‘Like Graham Platner But Worse’: GOP Group Vows $42M Campaign Against Last-Minute Replacement Democrat
Bipartisan pair of senators urge Rubio to release aid to African women, children at risk of Ebola
Florida mail carrier accused of snatching pets on route, trapping 100-plus cats and dogs in ‘hoarding’ house
Savannah Guthrie makes desperate plea six months after mom Nancy went missing: ‘Someone knows something’
Unearthed posts show Heartland Dem candidate rallying in favor of child gender surgery: ‘Radical as it gets’
Democratic Socialists awarded $5.2M in inheritance dispute despite family’s objections
Five Police Officers Arrested and Fired After Abusing Flock Surveillance Cameras
Patient debt adds stress to already tenuous US economy
Fauci repeatedly pressed Pence and Trump aides for more TV appearances as fame exploded, diary shows
Anti-Trump ‘Jeopardy!’ Host Kicks Hornets’ Nest, Triggers Trans Activists with Sarcasm
In Pelosi’s district, a battle over the future of San Francisco Democrats emerges
WATCH: Booker continues to reject SAVE Act despite bombshell NJ voter roll scandal
WATCH: Democrats admit when they’d eliminate the filibuster as SAVE Act fight heats up

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.”


Parents Who Starved Their 75-Day-Old Baby to Death Will Get No Jail Time After Guilty Plea – Guess Who the Judge Is
Fauci’s Fifth fuels vow to haul him into court ‘every day’ despite Biden pardon
‘Like Graham Platner But Worse’: GOP Group Vows $42M Campaign Against Last-Minute Replacement Democrat
Bipartisan pair of senators urge Rubio to release aid to African women, children at risk of Ebola
Florida mail carrier accused of snatching pets on route, trapping 100-plus cats and dogs in ‘hoarding’ house
Savannah Guthrie makes desperate plea six months after mom Nancy went missing: ‘Someone knows something’
Unearthed posts show Heartland Dem candidate rallying in favor of child gender surgery: ‘Radical as it gets’
Democratic Socialists awarded $5.2M in inheritance dispute despite family’s objections
Five Police Officers Arrested and Fired After Abusing Flock Surveillance Cameras
Patient debt adds stress to already tenuous US economy
Fauci repeatedly pressed Pence and Trump aides for more TV appearances as fame exploded, diary shows
Anti-Trump ‘Jeopardy!’ Host Kicks Hornets’ Nest, Triggers Trans Activists with Sarcasm
In Pelosi’s district, a battle over the future of San Francisco Democrats emerges
WATCH: Booker continues to reject SAVE Act despite bombshell NJ voter roll scandal
WATCH: Democrats admit when they’d eliminate the filibuster as SAVE Act fight heats up

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