White House Says Democrats Refused To Applaud Mother Of Slain Ukrainian Refugee During Trump’s SOTU Address

Democrats held their applause during several moments of President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address Tuesday night, including when Trump promised to ensure justice for Iryna Zarutska, the slain Ukrainian refugee. 

Anna Zarutska, Iryna Zarutska’s mother, was teary-eyed as Trump recalled her daughter’s final moments. (RELATED: Trump Puts Democrats On Defense In Patriotic, Disciplined SOTU) 

“He was arrested over a dozen times and was released through no cash bail. Stood up and viciously slashed a knife through her neck and body. No one will ever forget — there were people on that train — no one will ever forget the expression of terror on Iryna’s face as she looked up at her attacker in the last seconds of her life. She died instantly,” said Trump, referring to Decarlos Dejuan Brown, Jr., the man accused of stabbing Iryna Zarutska to death in August 2025. Brown has been indicted by a federal grand jury and faces one count of violence against a railroad carrier and mass transportation system resulting in death, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ). 

NOW – Democrats refuse to stand for Anna Zarutska, the mother of Iryna Zarutska. pic.twitter.com/rB2atshSk1

— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) February 25, 2026

“She had escaped a brutal war to be slain by a hardened criminal, set free to kill in America, came in through open borders. Mrs. Zarutska, tonight, I promise you, we will ensure justice for your magnificent daughter, Iryna.” 

Some members of the crowd erupted in applause, but not all. 

“How do you not stand? How do you not stand?” Trump said as the applause died down. The White House claims Democrats refused to applaud the “grieving families of innocent American women and children murdered by criminal illegal aliens — including the mother of Iryna Zarutska.” (RELATED: Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib Try To Shout Down Trump During State Of The Union) 

The White House says Democrats refused to applaud several more items, including:

• Acknowledging “the first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens.”
• “Keeping violent criminals locked up.”
• “Protecting minor children from the horrors of irreversible sex changes.
• “Reducing the flow of deadly fentanyl across our border by a record 56% in one year.”

Trump put Democrats between a rock and a hard place. Applaud, and earn the ire of constituents who think you’re cooperating with the devil. Sit on your hands, and appear indifferent to the sorrow of a mother who has lost her daughter. 

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