Dem Rep Janelle Bynum calls Trump’s ‘stand for American citizens’ moment 'racist' during SOTU

WASHINGTON, DC: Democratic Representative Janelle Bynum described President Donald Trump’s immigration remarks as "racist" and "uncomfortable" during the State of the Union on Tuesday, February 24.

The criticism followed a high-tension moment during the speech in which Trump publicly shamed Democrats for not standing during his call for heightened immigration enforcement.

Janelle Bynum criticizes Trump immigration remarks at SOTU

Following the event, a reporter asked Bynum, "What did you think about that moment when the President was asking Democrats to stand up for American citizens during that part of the speech when he was talking about immigration and enforcement efforts?"

Representative Janelle Bynum responded by questioning the president's methods. 

She replied, "I think you can agree with the what like standing up for American citizens but I disagree with the how and so it's always about how do we bring our country together but not stand on the backs of others there's thinly veiled racist language anti-immigrant language in what he was asking and that was uncomfortable."

Trump urges unity on border security, Democrats remain seated

The core of the conflict centered on President Trump’s demand for a show of unity regarding border security. The president declared that the "first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens."

He then asked the room to stand if they agreed with that priority.

While the Republican side of the aisle rose for a standing ovation, most Democrats remained seated. Trump pointed toward them and said they "should be ashamed" for not standing up for citizens.

Ilhan Omar heckles Trump during sanctuary cities clash

The incident occurred during a highly volatile segment of the speech in which President Trump criticized illegal immigration. Tensions escalated as Representative Ilhan Omar repeatedly heckled the president, shouting, "You have killedd Americans!"

 As he continued his address, Trump called on Congress to end sanctuary city policies and penalize officials who block the deportation of undocumented immigrants who have committed crimes.

He described the situation by saying, “In many cases, cartel lords, murderers all over our country. They’re blocking the removal of these people out of our country, and you should be ashamed of yourself,” he added.