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.


Muslim Mayor of Dearborn Invites Rapper Booted from Stadium Tour Over Anti-Israel Rant to Perform in City
Internet Trolls Karen Bass After She Deflects Blame for City’s Crumbling Roads
Most of School’s 9/11 Curriculum Focuses on Muslim Acceptance, Teachers Told Not to ‘Center’ on the Terrorists
Congress faces AI test as debate explodes over industry regulation
El-Sayed grilled on Piker, Israel and socialist ties after Mike Rogers skips Senate debate
US military releases footage of massive operation to rescue injured airman stranded inside Iran
Multiple death sentences in different states are set to be carried out within 24 hours: ‘Not very common’
Texas Senate candidate Talarico said US was ‘backsliding’ on democracy in resurfaced clip
7 Republicans rebel against Trump, vote with Dems to rein in Iran war powers
Fourth Florida resident dies after contracting flesh-eating bacteria linked to oysters
Washington Democrat claims majority of recent DHS arrestees posed ‘no threat to public safety’
Injured climber crawls ‘through the night’ to safety after falling 500 feet down California mountain
Republican upsets party-backed rival to challenge first openly trans member of Congress
Lawmakers throw out ‘Trojan horse’ activists they say are engaged in American subversion
Watch: Accused Child Sex Predator Literally Faints in Front of Judge After Learning Penalty He’s Facing


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  Mamdani greets America’s Mayor Rudy Giuliani despite calls to skip 9/11 memorial

“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.


Muslim Mayor of Dearborn Invites Rapper Booted from Stadium Tour Over Anti-Israel Rant to Perform in City
Internet Trolls Karen Bass After She Deflects Blame for City’s Crumbling Roads
Most of School’s 9/11 Curriculum Focuses on Muslim Acceptance, Teachers Told Not to ‘Center’ on the Terrorists
Congress faces AI test as debate explodes over industry regulation
El-Sayed grilled on Piker, Israel and socialist ties after Mike Rogers skips Senate debate
US military releases footage of massive operation to rescue injured airman stranded inside Iran
Multiple death sentences in different states are set to be carried out within 24 hours: ‘Not very common’
Texas Senate candidate Talarico said US was ‘backsliding’ on democracy in resurfaced clip
7 Republicans rebel against Trump, vote with Dems to rein in Iran war powers
Fourth Florida resident dies after contracting flesh-eating bacteria linked to oysters
Washington Democrat claims majority of recent DHS arrestees posed ‘no threat to public safety’
Injured climber crawls ‘through the night’ to safety after falling 500 feet down California mountain
Republican upsets party-backed rival to challenge first openly trans member of Congress
Lawmakers throw out ‘Trojan horse’ activists they say are engaged in American subversion
Watch: Accused Child Sex Predator Literally Faints in Front of Judge After Learning Penalty He’s Facing

See also  Mitch McConnell casts first Senate vote since June fall

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.”


Muslim Mayor of Dearborn Invites Rapper Booted from Stadium Tour Over Anti-Israel Rant to Perform in City
Internet Trolls Karen Bass After She Deflects Blame for City’s Crumbling Roads
Most of School’s 9/11 Curriculum Focuses on Muslim Acceptance, Teachers Told Not to ‘Center’ on the Terrorists
Congress faces AI test as debate explodes over industry regulation
El-Sayed grilled on Piker, Israel and socialist ties after Mike Rogers skips Senate debate
US military releases footage of massive operation to rescue injured airman stranded inside Iran
Multiple death sentences in different states are set to be carried out within 24 hours: ‘Not very common’
Texas Senate candidate Talarico said US was ‘backsliding’ on democracy in resurfaced clip
7 Republicans rebel against Trump, vote with Dems to rein in Iran war powers
Fourth Florida resident dies after contracting flesh-eating bacteria linked to oysters
Washington Democrat claims majority of recent DHS arrestees posed ‘no threat to public safety’
Injured climber crawls ‘through the night’ to safety after falling 500 feet down California mountain
Republican upsets party-backed rival to challenge first openly trans member of Congress
Lawmakers throw out ‘Trojan horse’ activists they say are engaged in American subversion
Watch: Accused Child Sex Predator Literally Faints in Front of Judge After Learning Penalty He’s Facing

See also  National Cryptologic Museum unveils historic Osama bin Laden exhibit

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