Chuck Schumer Steps in It When Asked About the Refusal to Stand for Americans During the SOTU

Democrats sure made an absolute mess of things for themselves during the State of the Union on Tuesday night, walking into traps President Donald Trump set for them on issues like so-called gender transition care for children, fraud in Minnesota, violent repeat offenders, and illegal immigrant crime.

 Where they made perhaps their worst mistake was in thinking it would be a good look to sit on their hands after Trump stated, "If you agree with this statement, then stand up and show your support: The first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens."

As we reported, not a single Democrat stood. "You should be ashamed of yourself for not standing up," Trump pointed out, looking directly at the Congressional Democrats in attendance who remained seated. "You should be ashamed of yourself."

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READ MORE: The Trump SOTU Moment That Could Win Republicans the Midterms

Trump May Just Have Destroyed the Democrat Party (VIP)

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As we also shared, Democrats have gotten a lot of blowback over the incident, with the NRCC noting on Wednesday that the moment was tailor-made for campaign ads:

Statement to FOX via NRCC spokesman Mike Marinella: “Every single vulnerable House Democrat should get comfortable re-watching the moment they revealed they’re nothing more than America-hating scums who stayed glued to their seats while President Trump called on protecting American citizens over criminal illegal immigrants. The ads write themselves.”

Sen. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), who continues to face calls from some Democrats for a 2028 primary challenge over their belief that he doesn't stand up enough to Trump, was asked about the Democrats' failure to stand in agreement with the statement about how it was their "first duty... to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens." 

Let's just say his answer only made matters worse for his party.

"Of course, we support Americans. We’re not going to be a prop in Donald Trump’s little show," he remarked in response to the question.

Watch:

As far as answers go, that was about as lame - and revealing - as it gets.

Firstly, they wouldn't have looked like a "prop" had they stood and applauded in agreement with Trump's statement anymore than they would have if he had called on them to stand up if they agreed that it was their job to abide by the Constitution (something else they wouldn't have stood up for).

In fact, standing up at that moment wouldn't have given Trump and the GOP the gift of them not standing up to use against them. Just a really dumb move.

But note what Schumer didn't say when answering the question on the Democrats' refusal to stand up. He didn't say, "Of course, we support Americans over illegal immigrants." He just said, "Of course, we support Americans."

Big difference.

The next time around, Schumer and other Democrat members of Congress need to be directly confronted by reporters and asked if they believe it's their first duty to protect American citizens, not illegal immigrants. Few, if any, will give the right answer, and the more they dodge and weave around the question, the worse it's going to get for them.

Editor's Note: With President Trump back in the White House, the state of our Union is strong once again.