Trump declares 'golden age' of America as six Illinois Democrats boycott his address — and one walks out

As Chicagoans affected by President Donald Trump’s “Operation Midway Blitz” sat as guests in the U.S. House chamber, the president declared the country was in a “golden age” and boasted about border security, tax cuts and his targeted enforcement of those who lack legal status.

Nearly an hour into Trump’s record-long State of the Union address, the president asked members to stand if they believed “the first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens.” Democrats remained seated, some shaking their heads, with Republicans on their feet.

U.S. Reps. Ilan Omar, D-Minn., and Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., both shouted at Trump from their seats, as Trump talked about illegal immigration and doubled down on attacking so-called Democratic sanctuary cities, including Chicago.

“I'm also asking you to end deadly sanctuary cities that protect the criminals and enact serious penalties for public officials who block the removal of criminal aliens, in many cases, drug lords, murderers all over our country,” Trump said. “They're blocking the removal of these people out of our country, and you should be ashamed.”

And despite taking steps to restrict those coming into the U.S., often in the name of protecting national security, Trump spoke about letting people into the country "legally."

"We will always allow people to come in legally," Trump said. "People that will love our country and will work hard to maintain our country.”

Trump’s comments about his immigration enforcements came as U.S. Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia brought Marimar Martinez, a woman shot five times by U.S. Border Patrol agents as his guest. U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi brought as his guest University of Illinois at Chicago student Jaime Coria Jr, whose father was detained by federal agents during the peak of Operation Midway Blitz and sent over 2,000 miles away to Mexico City.

Garcia posted a picture of Martinez to his X account.

"As her own government continues to smear her name, I’m proud of her courage in sharing her story—and proud to have her as my guest at the SOTU," Garcia wrote.

U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood, a Democrat from Naperville, left the chamber during Trump’s speech. Underwood shook her head as she stood up to leave.

The Illinois Democrat waved goodbye to some of her Democratic women colleagues. The women, who were each wearing white as an homage to the suffragist movement, exchanged chuckles before Underwood quietly darted out the back.

So did Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, who was escorted by security after holding up a sign that read “Black people aren’t apes,” which was grabbed by House Majority Leader Steve Scalise. That was in reference to Trump earlier this month sharing a racist video that includes a depiction of former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama as apes in a jungle.

Sen. Tammy Duckworth, along with U.S. Reps. Mike Quigley, Sean Casten, Delia Ramirez, Jan Schakowsky and Eric Sorensen, boycotted the annual address, with Duckworth on Monday calling it “another campaign rally full of lies.”

"Angel mom" Jacqueline Medina was one of many guests Trump brought to the address. Medina's daughter Lizbeth was allegedly murdered by a Mexican man who lacked legal status in December 2023.

"Her heartbroken mother is in the gallery to remind everyone in this chamber exactly why we are deporting illegal alien criminals in our country at record numbers," Trump said to GOP applause. "And we're getting them the hell out of here fast."

Prior to the political rhetoric, Trump tried to paint a rosy picture of his first year accomplishments — and poor approval ratings — ahead of November's midterm elections. The president lauded widespread tariffs and lamented the U.S. Supreme Court decision which struck them down as "unfortunate," the camera panning to U.S. Supreme Court justices in the chamber.

“It's saving our country,” Trump said of tariffs, while also calling them "peace-protecting."

The president brought out the Olympic gold medal-winning U.S men's hockey team into the House chamber to applause — and announced he would award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to the team's goaltender, Connor Hellebuyck.

Trump received a rare ovation from some Democrats, including from Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., when he said he wanted Congress to pass a measure to stop insider stock trading.

“Let’s also ensure that members of Congress cannot corruptly profit from using insider information,” Trump said.

When he noticed Democrats standing he called out, "Did Nancy Pelosi stand up?"

Contributing: AP