Vance slams Democrats' 'cowardice' for not standing for Americans over illegal aliens during State of the Union

Vice President JD Vance criticized congressional Democrats for refusing to stand during President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address Tuesday night, accusing them of “cowardice.”

Speaking on Fox News, Vance highlighted the Democrats’ poor reaction to the speech.

“Most Democrats didn’t stand up or clap, and what a shame that is,” Vance said. “What a sad commentary that is on the Democratic Party that the idea that the American government should stand for American citizens, not illegal immigrants. That shouldn’t be controversial.”

Vance added that something he observed in person, which many viewers at home may not have seen, was the “cowardice” displayed by some Democratic lawmakers. He said a few politely clapped but declined to stand and appeared to look around at members of their own party before deciding how to respond. He said that behavior was the “saddest commentary on the Democratic Party.”

“Not only will they not stand for the idea that Americans should come first, they won’t even have the courage of their convictions. They lean on the person to their left and their right rather than actually have some conviction. That is, unfortunately, what’s true about Democrats in Washington today,” Vance said. 

Visuals from the State of the Union showed many Democrats remaining seated as Trump asked lawmakers to stand if they agreed that it is the primary duty of the government to protect American citizens. Senator Ron Johnson shared a clip of the moment on X, writing, “Unbelievable that Democrats would not stand to reaffirm the American government’s first duty is to American citizens, NOT illegal aliens.”

On Wednesday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer defended Democrats’ decision to remain seated. In an interview with CNN, Schumer said Democrats agree the government needs to “protect Americans,” but argued that Trump is failing to do so.

“He’s not. By his reckless ICE agency in Minnesota, two Americans were killed. Americans are being pulled out of their cars and beaten. Americans’ houses, the doors are being knocked down, you know, without a warrant,” Schumer said.

Democrats also received pushback after refusing to stand in recognition of the mother of Iryna Zautska, the refugee who was brutally murdered on a Charlotte light rail train last August. This moment even prompted Trump to pause and gesture toward Democrats, asking, “How do you not stand?”