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Democrats’ big misfire at State of the Union has GOP strategists salivating: ‘Huge moment’
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Republican political strategists are salivating over what they perceive as a misfire by the Democratic Party during President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address, arguing incidents of clear defiance and contempt for Trump’s message will be «huge» for the GOP in the upcoming midterm elections.
One of the most dramatic moments of Trump’s address on Tuesday night came when the president challenged every lawmaker in the chamber to stand if they believe their first duty is to protect American citizens rather than illegal immigrants.
«One of the great things about the State of the Union is how it gives Americans the chance to see clearly what their representatives really believe,» Trump said. «So tonight, I’m inviting every legislator to join with my administration in reaffirming a fundamental principle: 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 Trump said this, Republicans stood while Democrats remained seated, prompting condemnation from the president. The White House called the moment a «must-watch.»
Reps. Ilhan Omar, left, and Rashida Tlaib shout at President Donald Trump as he delivers his State of the Union address on Feb. 24, 2026, in Washington, D.C. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Ryan James Girdusky, a GOP strategist with 1776 Project PAC, was quick to recognize the significance of the moment, writing on X, «A billion dollar ad just wrote itself because they wouldn’t stand.»
«Trump just orchestrated a great midterm ad, stand if you care about American citizens over illegal aliens and all the Democrats sat,» wrote Girdusky.
Tim Murtaugh, a former Trump senior advisor and campaign communications director, told Fox News Digital that «it was a huge moment because it forced the Democrats to self-identify as radicals who would rather defend illegal aliens over law-abiding American citizens.»
«There could be no clearer illustration that Democrats root against America when they’re not in power,» said Murtaugh, who runs Line Drive Public Affairs.
He accused Democrats of being «embarrassed to be Americans, whether they’re in power or not.»
«In their mind, good news for Americans is bad news for Democrats,» said Murtaugh. «They aren’t going to solve any problems — they’re only going to add to them — and the American people got to see them proclaim it themselves.»
«That moment will certainly be useful, and President Trump knows them so well he was able to make them do it,» he added.
OMAR SHOUTS ‘YOU ARE A MURDERER’ AND ‘LIAR’ AT TRUMP DURING STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS
President Donald Trump raises his fist during the State of the Union address, on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, at the U.S. Capitol. (Official White House Photo by Emily J. Higgins)
Lora Ries, director of the Border Security and Immigration Center at The Heritage Foundation, told Fox News Digital that congressional Democrats «clearly showed America they believe their number one duty is to protect illegal aliens, not American citizens.»
«Hopefully, that opened many more eyes to see that Democrats, to hang onto power, rely on illegal aliens (and other noncitizens) to illegally vote, have their ballots harvested, and for their headcount in the U.S. Census to maintain their congressional districts and the number of presidential electoral votes in their states,» said Ries, adding, «This is why Democrats refuse to vote for proof of citizenship during voter registration or proof of ID when voting.»
She advocated for passage of the Save America Act, which she said, «Would make these changes, which are critically needed to bring integrity to, and confidence in, our federal elections.» The Save Act, officially the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, has passed the House but faces an uncertain path in the Senate.
While Republicans have predicted that the Democrats’ sitting moment will loom large in the midterm elections, not all see it that way. Former President Barack Obama speechwriter and Democratic strategist Jon Favreau mocked Republicans for calling attention to the moment, posting on X that «It’s genuinely so funny how hard they’re trying to make this a thing.»
DEMS TAP ICE DETAINEES, SUSPECTED ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS AS GUESTS FOR TRUMP’S SPEECH: DHS
President Donald J. Trump delivers the first State of the Union address of his second term to a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. (Kenny Holston /Pool via Reuters)
Courtney Rice, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee communications director, told Fox News Digital, «House Democrats have been clear that we need to secure the border and reform the broken immigration system, both of which can be done without shooting American citizens on their own streets and terrorizing communities.»
Rice said, «Republicans’ overreach in enacting their immigration enforcement has turned voters against them,» which she said is reflected in polling.
«Trump continues to downplay and mock voters’ concerns over how expensive everything is – and Republicans refuse to say or do anything to the contrary,» she said, adding, «Their cruelty and refusal to listen to voters’ concerns will be why they lose in November.»
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Meanwhile, Stephen Miller, deputy chief of staff for policy and Homeland Security advisor, said the moment in which Democrats refused to stand sent «chills to the bone» and said it «will live for a thousand years.»
«Democrats declared to the world their searing disdain for, and profound disloyalty to, the actual citizens of the United States. They were repeatedly entreated to stand. Over and over. They refused,» said Miller.
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donald trump,elections,midterm elections,congress,state of the union,democratic party,immigration
En el corazón del suroeste de Alaska, una decisión drástica encendió la polémica: el Estado eliminó casi 200 osos, en su mayoría grizzlies, y 20 lobos desde helicópteros, con el objetivo de revertir el colapso del rebaño de caribú Mulchatna. La medida, que se implementó entre 2022 y 2025, busca aumentar la supervivencia de los caribúes, un recurso vital para la alimentación y la cultura de las comunidades locales.
La campaña, impulsada por el Departamento de Pesca y Caza de Alaska y respaldada por organizaciones tribales como la Alaska Federation of Natives y el Orutsararmiut Native Council de Bethel, surgió tras una caída histórica en la población de caribúes. En los años 90, el rebaño Mulchatna llegó a tener 200.000 ejemplares. Pero en 2022, la cifra se desplomó a 12.000, según datos oficiales.
Leé también: Estados Unidos utiliza ratas con paracetamol para combatir serpientes invasoras en una isla del Pacífico
Un repunte que no convence a todos
Desde que se prohibió la caza de caribú en 2021 y se intensificó la eliminación de depredadores, la población mostró una leve recuperación: en el último año contabilizado, el rebaño subió a 16.000 animales, un 30% más desde el inicio del programa. El rebaño de caribú subió a 16.000 animales desde el incio del programa. (Foto: Adobe Stock)
Sin embargo, la polémica no tardó en llegar. Jeff Stetz, biólogo de fauna y excoordinador de la investigación sobre el caribú Mulchatna, advirtió que es apresurado atribuir el repunte a la matanza de osos y lobos. Para Stetz y otros científicos, faltan pruebas sólidas que vinculen directamente la eliminación de depredadores con la recuperación del rebaño.
Demandas, bloqueos y un debate científico sin fin
El programa estatal desató una ola de demandas judiciales. Organizaciones como la Alaska Wildlife Alliance y el Center for Biological Diversity acusaron al Estado de llevar adelante una “masacre” sin suficiente respaldo científico y sin evaluar el impacto sobre los osos, cuya población ronda los 30.000 ejemplares en Alaska.
En varias ocasiones, jueces estatales frenaron temporalmente el operativo por falta de consulta pública y por no garantizar la viabilidad de las poblaciones de osos. El Departamento de Pesca y Caza respondió reautorizando las operaciones en períodos breves, amparándose en nuevas investigaciones que, según la bióloga Kristin Denryter, muestran que la predación es la principal causa de muerte de crías y hembras adultas en el rebaño Mulchatna.
Pero la evidencia sigue siendo motivo de discusión. En 2022, biólogos estatales presentaron datos preliminares que apuntaban a la malnutrición y las enfermedades —como la brucelosis— como factores más graves que la depredación. Además, la falta de estudios sobre el hábitat, según Patrick Walsh del Togiak National Wildlife Refuge, impide entender qué regula realmente la dinámica del rebaño.
“Si el hábitat es el verdadero problema, eliminar depredadores no sirve de mucho”, explicó Walsh.
El caribú, clave para la vida y la cultura local
Para habitantes como Janet Bavilla, cazadora de la comunidad Yup’ik en Platinum, el caribú es mucho más que alimento: es el corazón de la cultura y la economía de subsistencia en una región aislada y con precios altísimos para los productos importados.
El derrumbe del rebaño coincidió con malas temporadas de salmón y el aumento del costo de vida. Para Bavilla y otros defensores del programa, la recuperación del caribú es una señal de esperanza: “Creo que los caribúes están en un punto de inflexión. Solo necesitan un poco de ayuda”, sostuvo.
Sin embargo, la postura indígena no es unánime. Mientras algunas organizaciones tribales apoyan la intervención para asegurar la comida, expertos indígenas como Michelle Quillin, bióloga Koyukon Athabascan, sostienen que la estrategia choca con los valores tradicionales y no ataca las verdaderas causas del declive: el cambio climático, la degradación del hábitat y las enfermedades.
El impacto del clima y el futuro del programa
Un informe de la NOAA reveló que las poblaciones de caribú del Ártico cayeron un 65% en las últimas décadas por el calentamiento global y la expansión industrial. En el caso del Mulchatna, sin grandes explotaciones industriales, la variabilidad climática y el sobrepastoreo en años de auge parecen ser los factores clave, según coinciden cazadores y biólogos.
El futuro del programa depende de nuevas evaluaciones. El Alaska Board of Game revisará los objetivos de población en 2028, cuando vence la autorización actual para el control de depredadores. Hasta entonces, la caza de caribú sigue suspendida en casi toda el área, salvo permisos muy limitados en tierras federales.
Un dilema sin solución fácil
La gestión estatal enfrenta sus propios límites: puede manejar hábitats y depredadores, pero no el clima. Para la bióloga Anne Gunn, con décadas de experiencia en caribús, la clave está en proteger el hábitat y frenar el desarrollo industrial, más que en eliminar depredadores.
“Persistir con métodos reduccionistas no alcanza para resolver un sistema tan complejo”, advirtió Gunn.
Mientras tanto, los habitantes de las aldeas buscan alternativas, como la carne de alce o productos importados desde Anchorage, a más de 600 kilómetros. Pero la falta de caribú sigue cambiando la alimentación, la cultura y la vida de toda una región.
Alaska, osos, Lobos, TNS
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Venezuela’s Delcy Rodriguez replaces sanctioned loyalist defense minister with military intel head
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Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodriguez on Wednesday replaced a longtime loyalist military official, as she continues to make changes to her cabinet amid relations with the Trump administration.
General Gustavo Gonzalez Lopez, 65, will replace General Vladimir Padrino as defense minister, who held the position for more than a decade, Reuters reported.
In a Telegram post, Rodriguez thanked Padrino for his service and said he would be given new responsibilities.
MADURO’S SON GIVES ‘UNCONDITIONAL SUPPORT’ TO NEWLY SWORN IN INTERIM VENEZUELA PRESIDENT
Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodriguez waves after bidding farewell to U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright following their meeting at Miraflores Palace in Caracas, Venezuela, on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. (Ariana Cubillos/AP)
Lopez was appointed by Rodriguez in January as the head of the presidential guard and the General Directorate of Military Counterintelligence (DGCIM).
Lopez, who is among several officials sanctioned by the United States and European Union for human rights violations and corruption, was appointed in January the new head of the presidential guard and the General Directorate of Military Counterintelligence.
TRUMP ISSUES DIRECT WARNING TO VENEZUELA’S NEW LEADER DELCY RODRÍGUEZ FOLLOWING MADURO CAPTURE
U.S. State Department «wanted» posters show Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López accused by U.S. authorities of corruption and links to drug trafficking networks. (State Department)
He previously worked with Rodriguez as head of strategic affairs at PDVSA, the state-owned oil company, which she previously oversaw as energy minister.
Padrino had also been sanctioned by the U.S. over alleged drug trafficking and his support for ousted President Nicolas Maduro.
Despite the U.S. intervention, Venezuela’s repressive apparatus remains intact, the United Nations said last week. The government has repeatedly denied allegations of human rights and political oppression.
Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, left, smiles at Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez, as they take the route that the body of late President Hugo Chavez followed to his final resting place, during the activities marking the 10th anniversary of Chavez’s death, in Caracas, Venezuela, March 15, 2023. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
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The United States recently restored diplomatic relations with the South American nation following years of heightened tensions between the two states.
venezuelan political crisis,south america,latin america
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‘How do you sleep at night?’ Moreno slams ‘disgraceful’ shutdown leaving 260,000 workers without pay
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Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, lambasted his Democratic colleagues for blaming Republicans for the partial government shutdown during a Congressional hearing on Wednesday, calling their behavior «disgusting» and «disgraceful.»
Moreno used his allotted time during Oklahoma Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin’s confirmation hearing for the Department of Homeland Security Secretary to focus on the close to 260,000 DHS employees, which includes Transportation Security Administration employees, who have gone without a paycheck for more than a month.
«260,000 American citizen families who have not received a paycheck in over a month. None of those people are in charge of policy,» Moreno said. «It’s not one of those families that makes policy decisions. For the most part, that’s on the people here. There isn’t a single human being on this dais that has missed a paycheck. Every single one of us has gotten a paycheck the last 30 days and before that.»
‘YOU CAN CRY ABOUT IT’: TEMPERS FLARE IN SENATE AS DHS SHUTDOWN DEBATE ERUPTS, STALEMATE DIGS DEEPER
Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, delivers remarks during a Congressional hearing on the nomination of Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., as Secretary of Homeland Security. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Moreno argued that the real victims of the government shutdown are DHS employees.
«They’re having to tell their kids they can’t send them to dance recital because they did everything right in life except got a job with the Department of Homeland Security so that a politician can make a 30-second video online to fundraiser for the next election,» he said.
«That’s disgusting.»
Weeks ago, Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., posted a video on social media vowing to vote against funding DHS until reforms are made to the agency.
CORNYN CLASHES WITH PROGRESSIVE REP GREG CASAR IN HEATED AIRPORT FACE-OFF OVER DHS SHUTDOWN
Moreno then turned his attention toward Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs ranking member Gary Peters, D-Mich., accusing him of failing to keep his promise of keeping key agencies funded. But Peters wasn’t paying attention. Moreno called it «incredibly disrespectful» before laying in on Peters.
«You said you’re going to fund all these agencies,» Moreno said to Peters. «Here’s one that you haven’t funded.»
Moreno showcased a large poster board, which shared how the mission of DHS was being compromised by the government shutdown. At the top of the board was listed U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Sens. Rand Paul, R-Ky., and Gary Peters, D-Mich., grilled Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., during his confirmation hearing to become the next DHS chief. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
«USCIS is near and dear to my heart,» Moreno said. «That’s how I became a US citizen. We’ve defunded the agency that allows legal immigrants into this country. That is insane. Never hear the Democrats talk about that. 3,300 employees, trying to process legal immigrants. They don’t get a paycheck.»
He also railed against the defunding of Customs and Border Patrol and Immigration Customs and Enforcement.
«Are you suggesting that we not fund an organization that tracks transnational organizations?» Moreno rhetorically asked Democrats of ICE funding. «Be specific. When you say you don’t want to fund ICE, I want you to say the words ‘we do not want to fund 7,000 special agents that are in charge of stopping transnational criminal organizations, drug smugglers, and human traffickers.»
Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., President Donald Trump’s pick for Homeland Security secretary, is sworn in before testifying during Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs hearing, Wednesday, March 18, 2026 on Capitol Hill in Washington. (Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP Photo)
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Moreno’s comments during Mullin’s Senate confirmation hearing come a day after Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., accused Democratic leadership of holding DHS agencies «hostage» amid negotiations for appropriations.
Fox News Digital reached out to Sen. Peters for comment.
homeland security,republicans,government shutdown,senate,politics
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