Shri Thanedar slammed over ‘disrespectful’ gesture as Trump honored families of murder victims

WASHINGTON, DC: Michigan Democratic Rep Shri Thanedar is facing sharp backlash after confirming that he remained seated during President Donald Trump’s joint address to Congress when the president honored families of children r***d and murdered by undocumented immigrants.

The moment, which took place during Trump’s speech last year, has resurfaced after Thanedar openly defended his decision in a heated television exchange, igniting criticism across party lines.

Shri Thanedar remains defensive

The issue erupted publicly after Thanedar appeared on Fox News, where host Sean Hannity confronted him over his refusal to stand while grieving families were recognized from the House gallery.

“I did not stand because the president, I was just sick of the president,” Thanedar said.

Hannity responded forcefully, accusing the congressman of politicizing a moment meant to honor victims. “You sat on your a** and you wouldn’t stand for families that lost children -a 12-year-old girl r***d and murdered and you couldn’t stand for them because you were playing politics,” he said.

Thanedar doubled down. “I would not stand for this president,” he replied. “He was lying.”

Pressed further, the Michigan lawmaker argued that Trump was “using a tragedy” for political purposes.

Victims’ families call the gesture ‘cowardly’

Among those recognized during Trump’s address was Alexis Nungaray, the mother of Jocelyn Nungaray, a young girl law enforcement says was murdered by two undocumented immigrants in Texas.

Nungaray later condemned Democrats who stayed seated during the tribute.

“I found it very cowardly that a lot of the Democrats didn’t stand, didn’t clap, didn’t do anything to support anything that Donald Trump was trying to do as president to make this country better,” she said during a subsequent Fox News appearance. “It’s just very disgraceful to us as US citizens that those are the people we have here in Congress.”

Her remarks intensified criticism of Thanedar, with opponents arguing that, whatever lawmakers’ views of Trump, the moment was about acknowledging victims and their families.

Abolish ICE stance fuels broader backlash

Thanedar’s refusal to stand has gained added scrutiny due to his aggressive stance on immigration enforcement.

The congressman has introduced legislation to dismantle ICE entirely, arguing the agency is beyond reform.

“Decades of terror tactics culminated in the killing of Renee Nicole Good, making clear ICE is not an organization bound by the rule of law.,” Thanedar said in a statement. “ICE is totally out of control.”

He has described the agency as a paramilitary force and insisted the US can enforce immigration laws without it, adding “There is no way to reform it”.

His comments come amid heightened tensions following the fatal shooting of Minneapolis resident Renee Nicole Good during a confrontation with immigration agents, an incident that has sparked protests and deepened Democratic divisions over ICE.